Celtic have taken on three trialists for their Under-19s squad, an employee of the club has confirmed, after an eagle-eyed fan spotted an unknown trio of players taking part in training in a video on the club website.
The Hoops’ head of TV and media Gerry McCulloch has said on his personal Twitter account that two South Americans, from Brazil and Colombia, have headed to the club’s pre-season training, as well as someone from the USA.
@gerrymcculloch1 are these guys on trial at club. Didn’t recognise from training? pic.twitter.com/URDuv9tKQA
— Specialbhoy (@specialbhoy) June 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/gerrymcculloch1/status/1008756573055971329
https://twitter.com/gerrymcculloch1/status/1008810532474900485
It is not yet clear who the three players actually are, but it seems that the Hoops are not just focusing on bolstering their first team squad this summer with overseas talent looking as though it could be added to the youth ranks.
OPINION
Celtic have had a lot of success with their academy over the years, but they have never really welcomed many foreign players into the first team after they have made their way through the youth teams. Could one of this trio be about to make shockwaves at Celtic Park in the future? It’s way too early to call that but it’s very interesting that the club has taken on three trialists from the Americas. The academy chiefs are clearly thinking of adding a more foreign feel to what is usually an all-Scottish, or all-British set-up in the youth teams. It’s not something that is commonly done in Scotland, but has garnered great success south of the border in England. Arsenal most notably saw the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin come through their youth teams after being picked up at a young age. Celtic would be on to something if they were to copy that idea.