Celtic's youth academy has blossomed over the past 20 years, make no mistake. But over the past half decade there has been a severe lack of starlets who have made the first-team picture at Parkhead.
Of the current crop, only Callum McGregor and James Forrest can be considered true 'stalwarts', while the likes of Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh are back on the fringes despite their strong performances over the past 18 months. Kieran Tierney is another who had a great Hoops career, but there have been failures to develop players in the past with youngsters such as Karamoko Dembele, Scott Robertson and Jack Aitchison all failing to make the grade despite promising starts.
But with Bruno Davidson signing a new contract on Monday afternoon, it is a telling sign that Celtic are trusting their youth more than in previous years. And with that in mind, Record Sport takes a look at five blossoming stars that could make the step-up to the first-team in the coming months and years.
Bruno Davidson
Davidson joined the club in 2020, since blossoming under the management at Lennoxtown with Celtic entering the Lowland League a year after his arrival. Born in Singapore, the 18-year-old has started the current campaign on fire with five goals and five assists from midfield - which works out as a goal contribution per 150 minutes, a great return for a central player.
The youngster signed a new contract on Monday afternoon, and couldn't hide his delight at extending his stay in the east end of Glasgow. He said: “I’m delighted to extend my stay here. I definitely feel like it’s the right place to continue my development and grow as a player. I’m ready to continue working as hard as I have been and hopefully kick-on even more."
Joey Dawson
Dawson has by far and away the best goal-to-minute ratio in the Lowland League this season; not only that, but he is the top scorer in the division with 17 goals in just 16 matches. Dawson signed from struggling English outfit Scunthorpe United in July 2021 following their relegation to English League Two, and hasn't looked back since making the trip north of the border.
17 goals in 16 games - including a goal in each of his last six games and a total of 14 in his previous 11 - has seen Dawson become Celtic B's shining light in the attacking ranks, and there is every confidence that this could be stepped up. With 18 months left on his deal, Dawson could see an extension and perhaps a loan to a SPFL side next year before making a decision on his Hoops future.
Rocco Vata
Rocco - son of Celtic hero Rudi - has some big shoes to fill at Parkhead. His father spent two-and-a-half-years in the famous green and white shirt, becoming the first Albanian player to win an honour in a major European country with the 1995 Scottish Cup. Despite moving on for pastures new, he continued to live in Scotland, where son Rocco was born in 2005.
He has become one of the shining stars of the Hoops' youth academy since, signing his first professional contract in 2021, and even making his debut towards the end of 2022 in the 4-0 demolition at Easter Road. Interest from Juventus, Roma and AC Milan has followed from the continent, with Arsenal and Manchester City registering their keenness on securing Vata's signature.
And at the age of just 17, by clocking up nine goals in 15 games in the Lowland League and even a goal in the UEFA Youth League in a 2-1 win away at RB Leipzig, it is easy to see why. Celtic will be hoping to keep him as long as they can to maximise potential and profit.
Tsoanelo Letsosa
18-year-old Letsosa was born in Lesotho, and made his debut for Scotland under-16's in October 2019. He has kicked on massively at Celtic since joining aged 12, notching eight goal contributions in 21 appearances for the Young Hoops.
He scored the other goal alongside Vata in the 2-1 win over Leipzig and has come up trumps in the league by playing a variety of roles in the Lowland League. He scored the other goal alongside Vata in the 2-1 win over Leipzig and has come up trumps in the league by playing a variety of roles over the course of the season.
What Celtic have to be wary of is his contract expiring at the end of the season; Leicester have been previously linked, and they will want to avoid previous mistakes made when seeing former players such as Ben Doak.
Bosun Lawal
Lawal joined Celtic in 2021, with the 18-year-old joining from Watford after the Hornets signed him from prosperous Irish side St Kevin's Boys, who have produced stars such as Evan Ferguson, Ian Harte and Damien Duff in the past.
Having been linked with a move to Brentford, Pisa and Verona in the winter, it is easy to see why Lawal made his Celtic debut in the win over Greenock Morton last month.
And, with five goals from centre-back so far this season, the 19-year-old could perhaps see opportunities come his way in cup competitions next season should Stephen Welsh be sold in the summer.
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