Celtic have enjoyed a historic campaign this term under Brendan Rodgers and the fans in the Transfer Tavern are expecting them to secure an unbeaten season by avoiding defeat in the final clash with Hearts.
Rodgers’ side have excelled this season and he’s reaped the benefits from putting trust into young players, although they’re tipped to lose key-man Moussa Dembele, Kieran Tierney and Patrick Roberts during the summer window.
Celtic don’t have the finances to compete with the sides in the Premier League and across Europe but our landlord believes the club’s youth ranks can be the platform for success, as he feels Rodgers should utilise the talents at his disposal behind the scenes.
The punters in the bar agree with him and they’ve heard great things about a selection of youngsters ready to break through at Celtic Park and they’ve shared two names they’re expecting to see make an impression during the club’s pre-season campaign.
Jack Aitchison
17-year-old striker Jack Aitchison has earned a few openings in the first-team this season and the door is open for him to become a crucial figure for the side next season, as the future of star-man Moussa Dembele continues to be shrouded in speculation.
Pre-season will give Aitchison the opportunity to show Brendan Rodgers he’s capable of leading the line for Celtic’s title defence and Champions League venture next season, helping save Celtic money in the transfer market in the process.
Anthony Ralston
Young full-back Anthony Ralston earned a SPL debut earlier this month for Brendan Rodgers’ side, starting the 4-1 victory over St Johnstone, and he also enjoyed an opening in the first-team during a League Cup clash with Motherwell last August.
A regular for the club’s U20 side, Ralston will be keen to use his experiences from that level to push towards opportunities in the first-team and pre-season is the ideal opening for him to show his worth ahead of an important season next year.
