From the Lisbon Lions to the likes of Jimmy McGrory, Paul McStay and Pat Nevin, Celtic have produced some top players over the years.
Looking at the star-studded list of players to have emerged through the youth setup at Celtic in years gone by, it is clear to see that development of young players has always been an important part of the way in which the club operates.
Now, arguably more than ever given the financial disparity between Celtic and a number of their European counterparts, the Bhoys need to be breeding their own talent in order to generate finance and improve their own first team.
From Fraser Forster to Victor Wanyama, Celtic have made a number of notable sales in recent years, but mostly down to their sensible transfer policy, rather than their academy. As part of our festive features, HITC Sport takes a look at what a Celtic Homegrown XI might look like; it is worth noting that the XI is based entirely on current ability.
Kieran Tierney celebrates after Tomas Rogic scored the second goal for Celtic
Goalkeeper: David Marshall
Scotland international David Marshall came through the ranks at Celtic but found first team opportunities to be at a premium at Parkhead, eventually departing for Norwich in 2007 after just 50 appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys. The 31-year-old joined Premier League strugglers Hull City in the summer.
Right-Back: Paul Caddis
Former Celtic man Paul Caddis has carved out a very decent career for himself since leaving the Bhoys in 2010. Having initially dropped down to play for Swindon Town, he is now a first team regular for Birmingham City, and won his first cap for Scotland in 2016.
Centre-Back: Darren O’Dea
Darren O’Dea on media duty for the Republic of Ireland
Darren O’Dea has certainly been well travelled since leaving Celtic, the Dublin-born centre-back has played in Canada, the Ukraine and India since his Glasgow departure in 2012. Now aged 29, the Irish international is back in Scotland, starring for Dundee.
Centre-Back: Charlie Mulgrew
Versatile Scottish international Charlie Mulgrew had a long and successful career with Celtic, albeit blighted by injuries towards the end. A winner of five league titles and often linked with big money moves to England during the early 2010’s, Mulgrew finally left Parkhead in the summer as his influence continued to diminish, departing to join Blackburn Rovers.
Left-Back: Kieran Tierney
One of the best young players in Scotland right now, Kieran Tierney has a big future in the game, and Celtic fans will hope that future remains at Parkhead. The 19-year-old has already played 52 games for the club, winning both the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year and the SFWA Young Player of the Year awards last season.
Right Midfield: James Forrest
Current Celtic star James Forrest
One of only two current Celtic players to make this XI and joining Kieran Tierney is James Forrest. The 25-year-old has played 212 games for the Bhoys, winning 9 trophies and twice being named the club’s young player of the year. Capped 15 times by Scotland, Forrest manages to keep former star Aiden McGeady out of this starting XI.
Central Midfield: Jackson Irvine
Jackson Irvine made his only appearance for Celtic as a teenager in the 2012-13 season, but the Scottish giants may be wishing they’d hung on to his services now. The 23-year-old joined Burton Albion in the summer, where he has scored 7 goals in 22 games and earned rave reviews. The Australian international now plays as a midfielder, but he is also capable of playing in defence.
Central Midfield: Barry Bannan
Barry Bannan battles with Tom Huddlestone
Unlike most in this XI, despite coming through the academy at Celtic, Barry Bannan never actually made a first team appearance for the Bhoys, although that should come as no surprise given that he joined Aston Villa at the age of 15. Now targeting promotion with Sheffield Wednesday, he has played in both the Premier League and the Championship as well as winning 24 caps for Scotland.
Left Midfield: Ross Wallace
A teammate of Bannan’s at Sheffield Wednesday, Ross Wallace spent 4 years in the first team squad at Celtic. Widely expected to eventually succeed Alan Thompson on the left wing, Gordon Strachan began playing Wallace as a left-back, before selling him to Sunderland. The 31-year-old has had a respectable career, mostly spent as a top end Championship player.
Attacking Midfield: Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney has found his game time to very limited at Hull City, since joining the Tigers in 2015, not helped by a number of niggling injuries. An effective impact substitute earlier in the season, the 33-year-old started his career with Celtic, where he played 215 games in two separate spells and won 13 trophies.
Centre Forward: Kjartan Finnbogason
Kjartan Finnbogason in action whilst on-loan at Falkirk
There are not a plethora of talented and active strikers who came through the Celtic academy in world football, and one could argue young Jack Aitchison may be a better option up front than Kjartan Finnbogason, but with the current youngster being just 16, we’ve opted for the 30-year-old Icelandic international instead.
Finnbogason joined Celtic at a much later age than the others in this XI, but still spent time in the Bhoys academy. Celtic were willing to offer him a new contract at the time of his departure, but frustrated by a lack of game time, he handed in a transfer request. Now playing in Denmark, the forward has been prolific since leaving Parkhead, and he scored 17 goals in 29 games last season.
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