From Celtic to Free Agent: The Harsh Reality of Leaving Parkhead Too Soon

Barry Hepburn’s move from Celtic to Bayern Munich and his current status as a free agent should be a warning to young players about the risks of leaving too early.

Hepburn left Celtic’s academy at just 16, lured by the prestige of Bayern, but things haven’t gone as planned. After a few appearances for Bayern’s second team and loan spells that didn’t lead to consistent Game time, he’s now without a club at the age of 20.

Hepburn isn’t the only one. Liam Morrison, who also left Celtic for Bayern, recently moved to QPR, where he’s struggling to get Game time. Ben Doak, another high-profile exit from Celtic’s academy to Liverpool, is also finding it tough to break through in one of the world’s most comPetitive teams.

These examples highlight a trend of young Scottish talent leaving Celtic before they are fully developed, only to face difficult transitions elsewhere.

Celtic need to act if they want to stop this exodus. The club has produced successful first-team regulars like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney, who both followed a natural progression within the club.

The solution lies in providing clearer pathways for young players to reach the first team. If these youngsters see a realistic future at Celtic, they might resist the temptation to leave so early for the allure of richer clubs.

Right now, players like Hepburn are showing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Celtic should use this to encourage its rising stars to stay and develop at Parkhead.