Celtic’s Recent Youth Departures and Why The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

The volume of talented young players departing Celtic over the past few years has raised concerns among several supporters, but the finances, glamour, and overall prospect of moving to some of the biggest leagues in the world is too difficult to turn down for some teenagers.

Patience is a virtue, and a key attribute required if one wants to break into the first team of the Scottish champions.

Few youngsters, though, possess the fortitude needed to make a mark at Celtic and rather, chase moves at tender ages.

Take Liam Morrison and Barry Hepburn, for example. The former was involved in the Hoops’ senior set-up at 16 but within a month, moved to European giants Bayern Munich. Hepburn followed a year later but so far, similar to his peer, hasn’t endured much success in Germany.

21 and 20, both have failed to make their mark abroad. Morrison and Hepburn haven’t made a single appearance for Bayern’s first-team between them and in the season gone by, had underwhelming loan spells and Wigan and DSV Leoben respectively.

The grass was in no way greener for the duo overseas and perhaps if they waited it out in Glasgow, they might have had some prosperity and first-team success.

Karamoko Dembele falls into a similar category to the Munich pair. He missed seven months of Ange Postecoglou’s first Celtic season through an ankle injury and might have gotten an opportunity in the Aussie’s second had he not jumped ship to Brest in the summer of 2022. He is now without a club.

The likes of Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly – whose futures currently remain up in the air – should look at the predicaments of players like Morrison, Hepburn, and Dembele as they make key career decisions this summer.

Both undoubtedly have talent but need to work for their opportunities and not think they will get them for nothing.

Callum McGregor was 21 by the time he broke into the first-team. The current Hoops captain showed great determination to go out on loan to Notts County and earn his place in the side by merit.

Youngsters throughout the ranks of the champions should look at the skipper and follow his story of hard work and patience if they want to make it into the senior team.

Being a Celt and playing for Scotland’s most successful club is earned, not a privilege.