Football: Scottish Cup Celtic s Daizen Maeda L scores in the first half of a Scottish Cup semifinal football match against St. Johnstone in Glasgow, Scotland, on April 20, 2025. Imago Images
Celtic’s next generation of talent is making its case for senior inclusion, with six young players handed valuable minutes against Shelbourne in Dublin this week.
Manager Martin O’Neill used the pre-season friendly to cast an early eye over the hopefuls waiting in the wings at Lennoxtown, eager to identify who might force their way into first-team contention.
The players have two powerful allies in their corner, with coaches Stephen McManus and Shaun Maloney having walked the same path from academy ranks to trophy winners at Parkhead.
The success of Colby Donovan serves as the ultimate inspiration, the young right-back transforming from fresh-faced hopeful to league and Scottish Cup Double winner following one standout pre-season tour.
Defender Joseph Haney, who only turned 17 last month, slotted in at left-back against Shelbourne with Kieran Tierney away on World Cup duty, having already made the first-team bench in January’s Scottish Cup win over Auchinleck Talbot.
The Surrey-born Scotland Under-17 starlet made 17 appearances in the Lowland League last season and supplied one assist, showing maturity beyond his years throughout.
Sean McArdle burst onto the scene in the final weeks of the 2024/25 campaign under Brendan Rodgers, impressing against Hibs and contributing to the dismantling of Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The 18-year-old midfielder’s loan spell at Partick Thistle under ex-Celt Mark Wilson was cut short in January after just five appearances, but his underlying quality remains beyond question.
Thomas Hatton was arguably the standout performer on the night in Dublin, with the 19-year-old winger already named among the substitutes for Celtic’s 1-0 Europa League win over Stuttgart in February.
The versatile attacker, who can operate on both flanks, registered nine goals and three assists for the B side last term and signed a three-year deal keeping him at the club until 2028.
Liam Kennedy, a 17-year-old midfielder who has been on Celtic’s books since the age of six, performed with composure in a deeper role against Shelbourne and carries an impressive physical frame for his age.
The youngster signed his first professional deal last summer and has only recently graduated from the Under-19s to the B team, marking him as one of the most exciting long-term prospects at Parkhead.
Kyle Ure may be the academy player closest to breaking into the senior setup, with Parkhead icon Scott Brown having hailed the 20-year-old as a “mini Callum McGregor” during his loan spell at Ayr United.
Ure made 19 appearances for the Honest Men last term and has been a consistent performer for the B side, while the Scotland Under-21 international is still waiting for his top-team Celtic debut.
Francis Turley earned a bumper four-year deal after impressing in pre-season previously, with then-manager Rodgers rewarding him with his top-team debut away to St Mirren shortly afterwards.
The 20-year-old Northern Irish playmaker was deployed at right-back against Shelbourne despite his attacking instincts, and did not let himself down in an unfamiliar position during the Dublin outing.
About the Author
