Brendan Rodgers has given minutes to three different teenage talents at Celtic so far this season, led by Rocco Vata. Vata, who was the subject of extensive interest from Italy during the January transfer window but could now sign a new contract after entering talks with the club, scored his first senior goal in the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle last month and has improved his standing in the squad.
Rodgers has included him in his last three Scottish Premiership matchday squads, and he brought him on for his first league outing of the season late on in the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at the start of the month.
Daniel Kelly has also been named on the bench for the games against Aberdeen and Hibernian, having had a run-out from the bench against Buckie Thistle, while left-back Mitchell Frame received a 15-minute outing in the Hoops' final Champions League group-stage fixture against Feyenoord in December.
Player
Age
Position
Minutes
Hyun-jun Yang
21
Right winger
935
Odin Thiago Holm
21
Central midfield
394
Rocco Vata
18
Attacking midfield
29
Daniel Kelly
18
Central midfield
18
Mitchell Frame
18
Left-back
15
Rodgers faces a difficult balancing act at Parkhead, looking to give young players enough opportunities to show that a pathway to the first-team exists but also bound to look to his most trusted players in the midst of a title battle with Rangers.
Celtic fight Sheffield United for Berry
Celtic are now going after another youngster for the upper ecehlons of their academy, battling "a number of Premier League clubs" for the signature of Adam Berry. According to Football Transfers, Berry is currently on trial at Nottingham Forest and is also attracting interest from Sheffield United and Blackburn.
Berry recently confirmed on social media that he'd left Manchester United and has changed agents too, potentially with a view to finding the best club for him to develop. His motivation for leaving the Red Devils was playing more football elsewhere.
Berry an international-calibre talent
Berry, who can play as an attacking midfielder, a number eight or a winger, appeared 27 times for United's under-18 side, scoring twice and providing five assists. In a marker of how much excitement he was generating at the club, he made his debut at that level when he was just 15.
Celtic now start contract talks with “outstanding” player alongside Vata
Rodgers has been delighted with the players’ performances this season.
ByDavid Comerford
The Englishman has also received international recognition, featuring in three friendlies for his country's under-17 side in 2022. If Celtic are to win what looks like a hotly-contested race, they will have to convince him that they have a meritocratic system in place in Glasgow, whereby the best-performing young players are given a chance to strut their stuff at the top level. It also remains to be seen whether Forest present a permanent offer at the end of his trial period, which could force them to accelerate their efforts.