11 Jan 2015 13:28:16
Something has often intrigued me. Scottish sides are producing a lot if talent, there is a huge list if people like MacArthur, McCarthy, Robertson, May, the list goes on and looking at the paper every day English clubs are looking at guys like the young Hamilton fullback, wighton from Dundee etc etc. Now celtics youths win the league almost every year, so in theory we have the best in the country. Why does this not show up then? Why is our history of discarding people like Robertson coming back to haunt us, and why can't we scout McCarthys and Mcarthers before clubs like Hamilton? Something doesn't seem right to me at our youth set up. Markie

1.) 11 Jan 2015
Our problem for as long as I can remember is a failure to play young players. Years ago a young player was blooded in through the season, a league cup game or when the league was one usually, this does not happen any more.

The loss of the reserve league was also a mistake, young players got the chance to play against more experienced players, usually coming back from injury, this was part of the learning curve.

Lets not forget our part in this as well. Too many supporters look for money signings.If we announced we had signed Robertson the usual crew would have been shouting about lack of ambition etc. If a young guy makes the first team he should be encouraged, I get sick to death of the moaning at Celtic Park when a player induces loud groans, and worse for passing back to keep possession.

2.) 11 Jan 2015
Arguably we have done relatively poorly since maybe the 'Quality Street Kids' at producing a batch of really outstanding class players.
It is a concern that we tend to release the majority of our youth players year in year out - as obviously there was something special in them for a club like Celtic to have signed them?
The club would say that to maintain a level of success, they have to bring in quality players on transfers, but in recent years the quality has fallen significantly with cash restraints etc.
On the other hand we could look at McGregor, Henderson, Fisher and Forrest and say that our policy is working and unlike Hamilton and other provincial clubs we won't encourage bids, but would consider loans?

3.) 11 Jan 2015
The problem is Markie other clubs can afford to blood the young boys in.

Could you imagine what the fans would do to these youngsters for having a poor run of form. Big Efe and sometimes its merited is hammered, Forrest, Stokes and even greedy Commons all get it plus many more.

Hamilton for example played McCarthy and McArhtur regardless of there form allowing them to develop and also it took a few years before they showed what they could become and now its all big money moves.

Henderson is a good player of our own, with Armstrong and Brown this would create good competition - far better than that offered by Biton, Kayal etc

4.) 11 Jan 2015
Aye, a lot of good points guys. Markie

5.) 12 Jan 2015
McGregor gets a lot of stick for underperforming in the team

6.) 15 Jan 2015
15 Jan 2015 01:23:50
I think it may be a bit difficult for Deila to experiment with youth at this stage, cause now in his first season its all about survival in his mind I think. I think you will see more next season when he has (hopefully) won something and can lower his shoulders a bit more.
And if it takes more than 6 months for 1 team players to catch his style of football, you can extend that with another year for youth players to adapt to it.
Its just a matter of him given the right amount of time to get it right. Maybe he wouldnt, but you will see a better youth setup, no doubt either way.