Latest news with #Parkhead
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen McManus identifies sizzling Celtic prospect destined for the top as B team boss makes a candid admission
Big Mick is convinced the next generation of stars are ready to break through at Parkhead Every Celtic youngster dreams of following in the footsteps of poster Bhoys James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney. But Stephen McManus knows better than most that only a handful will ever make it all the way. Now B team boss, the former Hoops captain is hellbent on streamlining the route from the youth set-up to the first-team. As an academy graduate himself, Big Mick is a shining example for the current crop learning their trade at Lennoxtown. The ex-defender rose through the ranks, captained Celts to title glory and led them into the last 16 of the Champions League. These days, it's his job to nurture the next generation of stars. And while the road to Brendan Rodgers' top team is anything but straightforward, McManus insists there will always be a pathway. He said: "Yeah, listen, that's what pre-season is for as well. This is my fourth year with the B team and we've been really lucky that over the last three years, we've got boys that have played, after under-18s, they've played 150 games. "They've played 50-odd games a season, which after under-18s, you don't always get. We're lucky that we've got that. "Like I say, our job is to try and prepare the boys for first-team football. Hopefully, it's here. Absolutely. "We've been lucky this year, I think. Francis Turley made his debut this year. Jude Bonner made his debut this year. Sean McArdle came on and made his debut towards the end of the season. "And then you've got the boys that have been out on loan as well. You've got Ben Summers, Matthew Andersons as well. "So it's been a really productive season again for us. But ultimately, we want to make sure we try and do our best to help the manager and the first-team staff to be able to say, 'Right, these are what we've got. Are they ready to fit into the first-team squad?' "That's what pre-season is for. As a young player, you get an opportunity. You'll get an opportunity, whether it's in pre-season or every day that you come to work, every day that you're then performing for your club, whether you're at the football club or you're at somebody else on loan. "So it's difficult. It's difficult, of course it is. That's why the people that come through are so limited. "But when you look at the success that we've had with boys that are playing football at other clubs, it's great." With Greg Taylor vacating the No.3 jersey, there could soon be an opportunity for a homegrown talent to step up. Returning hero Tierney will reclaim his place at left-back - but his injury record means Rodgers will need to manage his minutes carefully. Rising star Matthew Anderson is among the most highly-rated emerging talents at Lennoxtown. Dubbed 'the next KT' by coach Greig Robertson, the defender spent last season on loan in Austria with feeder club Admira Wacker. Now 21, this summer could prove to be make-or-break. McManus said: "He's got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive. He's a terrific boy with a brilliant family, and again, you can only stay with us, with the B team, for a couple of seasons. "Matthew outgrew the B team two years ago. That's why he's not played for the B team. That's why the next stage of his development was to go out and loan. "Some people make their debut at 16 and then go and play for the rest of their careers. Some people are 21, 20, they need to go a different route. That's fine, that's fine. "But what you need to do is, when you get an opportunity, you need to try and become a football player, and that's what Matthew's done. "He's a terrific boy, terrific worker for a terrific family, and he'll be a top player. He'll be a top player." For aspiring players, there are few better role models than Forrest, McGregor and Tierney. Forrest recently overtook Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox to become Celtic's most decorated player, with 26 trophies to his name. Skipper McGregor - whose own breakthrough came via a loan to Notts County - is only two major honours behind. And Tierney famously banked the club a record £25million fee in 2019, only to return on a free six years later. Speaking to promote next month's friendly clash with Newcastle United at Parkhead, McManus added: "You need that here, where it's so important that people can relate. The boys that have been here, that have done it. "I've spoken about this before, but when I look back over 20-odd years, boys that have come through the football club, you want them making an impact. "Making an impact is not just playing now and again. You want to contribute. You want to play five games. You want to play 50 games. You want to play 100 games. You want to play in the first team. "You need people that have done it, basically, just to prove, listen, if they can do it, there's no reason why the other boys can't do it. "That's where Kieran falls into it, Callum falls into it, and James falls into it. It's great, but it's a hard slog. "Of course it is, but you need the right types of people that are leading the football club, and that's what we've got here at the moment."
The National
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Forgotten Celtic winger Luis Palma suffers Honduras disaster
The 25-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan at Greek giants Olympiacos, but will return to Parkhead for the new season after they opted not to exercise a £3.3 million clause that would make the move permanent. He made just three league starts for Olympiacos and his nightmare campaign reached a new low on international duty when Honduras crashed to a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Canada in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match at Vancouver and he was subbed off at the interval. And Palma admitted it was a disastrous night for him. He said: "It's very sad. It's one of my lowest moments in my career. Read more: "We have to accept we are going through a very difficult time at the moment. But we all know that was nowhere near acceptable. "Now we have to use this as a learning experience for the rest of the tournament. The whole team is devastated by this setback. "Only hard work will help us. We have to turn over a new page. "We didn't have a clear idea of what we wanted to play, and it showed. This defeat hurts us all a lot."
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer intel swarms the Hotline as Dermot Desmond deploys £50m response to Rangers takeover
The takeover, the new manager and transfer murmurs skyrocketing - but Rangers don't have Celtic worried just yet. The champions are making moves behind the scenes - and Dermot Desmond is set to give Brendan Rodgers the keys to the Parkhead coffers this summer. That is according to Martin 'Butch' Cassidy, Hamilton - who claims to be the man with the intel is leaking out of Celtic Park. He said: "I have worked in a world where wee whispers about Celtic land on my door and have then come to pass. I knew Brendan Rodgers would be the boss before it was announced two times over. "And now my source is telling me Dermot Desmond is eyeing a marquee summer. This Rangers takeover will have nothing on us and my inside man reckons we'll spend in excess of £50million. Over to you, Rangers." Transfer season is well underway - and Cyriel Dessers looks to be inching closer to the Ibrox exit door. But with AEK looking to snap up the striker for a lowball offer the door remains closed for the Nigeria international. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton emailed: "Much has been made of the fact that Dessers finished up Scotland's top goalscorer - so for Rangers reportedly holding out for a paltry £5million is beggars belief. "It's another example of Rangers desperate for finance and they will regret not having Rangers diehard Lawrence Shankland in place for the start of the season." Nicolas Kuhn is another who could be on the move - with the Celtic winger attracting interest from RB Leipzig. Alan Flett senses a shift in Glasgow amid wheeling and dealing at Parkhead: "RB Leipzig must be desperate if they're willing to pay £15m for Kuhn. He's been playing in Scotland for 18 months and has been largely anonymous for the majority of that period. "Despite their apparent wealth, the biscuit tin mentality is alive and well at Celtic Park. It's only a matter of time before Rangers are back on top of the Scottish game." Russell Martin knows who he will face in his first competitive match as Rangers boss - with the crucial Champions League qualifiers kicking off against Panathanaikos. But some have already written off their chances of joining Europe's elite next season - with Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh commenting: "Surely Champions League is beyond Rangers this season? "They're nowhere near enough ready , and I suggest Europa League far more realistic. Defeat by Panathanaikos would see Gers given a 5 million Euro softener" And the draw sparked some Hotline sparring between regulars - with Scott Gowers clamped over a potential UEFA conspiracy. John Scott said: "Scott Gowers thinks Ranger's are mysteriously getting tough draws in Euro qualification for the Champions League. Can we smell the pungent aroma of yet another conspiracy. Not more big male coo's and dungheaps surely?" John Souttar looks set to miss the clash with the Greeks after delaying surgery to turn out for Scotland at the end of the campaign. Baffled Dr Robert S Pender said: "Did nobody tell the Rangers player who pays his wages? To delay the surgery in order to turn out for Scotland friendlies was totally unexplainable. Now the player will miss important qualifying games. I think he will eventually will move on." Hibs have drawn FC Midtjylland in their Europa League qualifiers - and the Danes have been quick to play down the threat of the Premiership side with boss Thomas Thomasberg declaring his side would reach the next round. Neil Renton, Leith said: "Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg might be super confident his side will beat Hibs in the Europa League but he can't write off the Easter Road side too quickly. Fingers crossed that his comments come back to haunt him and he's humbled by the Hibees."
STV News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Tosh McKinlay excited by return of 'world-class' Kieran Tierney to Celtic
Tosh McKinlay says the sight of 'world-class' Kieran Tierney in green and white hoops again will have Celtic supporters excited for next season. The 28-year-old Scotland defender has returned to Parkhead after six years in the English Premier League with Arsenal. Former Hoops star McKinlay, who played in the same position as Tierney, is looking forward to seeing someone he rates very highly gracing the Celtic Park pitch once again by marauding down the wing and 'playing for the badge'. Speaking on Wednesday at the Taxi To Troon charity event in Glasgow, where he was representing the club and handing over a £7,000 cheque from the Celtic Foundation, he said: 'As far as I am concerned Kieran (Tierney) is a world class player and I am really looking forward to seeing him getting the hoops back on, and I'm sure the supporters are as well. 'When he's marauding up and down that left hand side, it will be fantastic. 'He's obviously had a spell in England and done very well, but I think he has always been looking to get back to Celtic Park, and everyone is looking forward to seeing him back in the strip again. 'It's in his blood, and it means a bit more when you're playing for the badge.' Greg Taylor has been Celtic's first choice left-back for the last five seasons, but his future is currently uncertain, with his contract coming to an end this month. He has been linked with a move abroad, but McKinlay is still holding out hope that he will decide to stay and compete with Tierney for the position. 'Special mention to Greg, I think he's been fantastic over the years and obviously it's still to be confirmed if he will be staying or going, but it would be great if he stayed and give Kieran some competition for that left back spot. 'He has been fantastic over this period of five or six years, and I'm sure he'll be wanting to stay as well.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Ex-Celtic star tells club to make move for Odsonne Edouard
The former Celtic striker, now at Crystal Palace, has a year left on his contract but is currently out of the first-team picture. Since his £15 million move four years ago, Edouard has netted only 21 goals—a stark contrast to his prolific days at Parkhead. A return to Celtic could help the 27-year-old revitalise his career, similar to Kieran Tierney and Jota who made successful returns. Allan, who played alongside Edouard during his time at Celtic, thinks the club should aim to bring him back. Read more: He said on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: "I would (take him back), yeah. "Fantastic player. "It's obviously a position that Celtic will be looking to add to." Allan added that with Daizen Maeda potentially moving back to the wide positions, there could be a spot for Edouard. He said: "I think we might see Daizen Maeda go back out to that wide area, where he was so effective in terms of his pressing and getting up and down the pitch. "He'll be looking to add to his goal tally come next season. "I think there's no question that it's an area of the park where Celtic need to strengthen." Edouard's return could provide the boost Celtic need to remain competitive in the upcoming season.
