Celtic Colts

Look at Kelty Hearts (spit) for example, they invested into the club now they’re pushing for promotion already. I’ve always thought this about the lower leagues, many of them are happy to be there, next to zero ambition. They cling on not to be relegated, paying players £10 to play then taking money off the SFA at the end of the season for surviving. That’s just no football.

 

Far too many small clubs that vote against it, our country for a population of 5 million has far too many leagues and top flights. A lot of these teams should be amalgamated but that won’t happen either.

 

There's been some pro footballers who've gone straight to junior football after playing in the top fight..

Aye that is the major problem. I thought this year would've been a good time after the pandemic and the chance of us and then filling a lot of gates away..

 

Would maybe think of loaning Moffat to a side in the championship. will be 20 next year so it would be good for him to get experience at a higher level.

 

I’ve always said this too, Fife for example, if you merged all 4 teams (5 now) sold all 4 stadiums, reinvested it bought in decent players and built a purpose built 20k all seater you’d have all 4 clubs revenues plus some. Makes sense to me but too many purists worried about club history etc.

There has to be radical changes in Scottish football, sadly no one wants to take that jump, therefore it’ll be the same dross, same * standard for decades to come.

 

Aye the 3 of them seem like exciting talents. Can't wait to see Moffat get a chance this season, which surely he will.

 

I’m not 100% on this but it seems that Anges system is being used with the colts, high pressure, one-two touch football. Learning that system with the colts might be the best for him to transition into the 1st team. Going anywhere else he won’t be playing that sort of football, you struggle to see 5 passes strung together never mind 1 touch lol

 

Last thing I want to see is Moffat on loan. He is a silky player, skill and speed and more important, can pick out a pass. Would love to see him drip fed into the first team. We seem to * about too long with our talented young players and before we know it, they are 21 and have not made the break through. I dont know what age he is, but suspect the likes of KT and CMcG had tasted first team action at his age.

 

Does anyone know how the colts situation works with regards cup ties? Can Ange pick any of those players, like Moffat or Shaw, if we are up against lower league teams?

I know there is meant to be something for league games, where it's something like 5 games before they can't go back to the colts, but I haven't heard if playing in cup games counts to that or not, or if they just aren't allowed to play in the cups.

Our squad is light enough as it is, I'd hope we have that option available in the cups at least.

Finally, has anyone watched the colts play? Are they adopting the same style as the full team, with the fullbacks coming inside, high press etc? I'd hope they are so they are ready to make the step up if they get the chance.

 

Hopefully these young bhoys get the coaching and encouragement they deserve to take their careers to the next level , I don’t think we have invested enough time into the youths for a few years .

 

To a lot of these clubs you are talking about merging them with their major, historical rivals. That's unthinkable to their fan base. Akin to saying just merge the Edinburgh clubs. It would never get off the ground. There wouldn't be the fans to fill a stadium after that. These clubs and fans are happy in their small surroundings. Cant see it ever changing.

 

I take it these Colt games are not on Celtic TV?

 

but Cities like Edinburgh/Glasgow can support two teams. Fife on the other hand the 4 clubs struggle to get 4K between them. I totally get the historical rivalry (I hate Raith and Dunfermline for example, as I was brought up living next to old bayview) but in a footballing sense I’d rather see one team competing than 4 fighting for scraps.

I know it would never happen but I think it’s what the game needs, a massive cull of ‘professional’ clubs.

 

I agree with what you are saying, it would make better set ups and a better standard across the country and would be great to see but the sentiment is the same for the fans of these clubs as the Edinburgh clubs, they would never contemplate teaming up. It won't happen unless a couple of them go bust and reform together, even at that I doubt they would do it.

 

Some people are getting a wee bit too carried away with him.

He’s tearing it up for the B team but the standard in that league is dross. Send him out on loan to a Scottish Championship team to see how he gets on.

 

It's pish we can't get promoted, hopefully the lower league teams see how much cash it could generate and change stance..

Would be happy enough if it were capped at League 1 tho.

 

That’s what was proposed to the SPFL clubs but they unanimously voted against it. They don’t want change, it’s as simple as that. It’s why Scottish football declines year after year. We have two teams that are progressive and the rest stuck in their ways. Leaving the 3 lower divisions out of the equation and look at the Premier, outwith Celtic and them a top half finish is a good season, happy to finish third. Never in my life thought finishing third is good enough, you play to win not come third.

 

Is this actually beneficial for these players development? Playing against such a * standard of opposition. Surely games aren’t feeling too competitive

 

What’s the alternative? Farm them out, playing route one football? Or give them competitive games, learning the first team system so it gives them a decent chance of being able to join the first team knowing how they play?

I know the standard doesn’t look to good but it’s game time that we’ve been missing for the youngsters for a few seasons now.