Where 14 Rangers and Celtic wonderkids are now after Glasgow dealt for Aston Villa, non-league, and Liverpool

Rangers and Celtic have produced wonderkids throughout the country, from Aston Villa to current champions in the non-league.

Rangers and Celtic are enthusiastic about incorporating indigenous players into their rosters in order to cultivate talent.

Nevertheless, this has become more challenging in recent seasons as Europe’s largest clubs attempt to acquire promising talent at a lower age. Ben Doak, a Scotland call-up, left Celtic for Liverpool before his 18th birthday, having only made two first-team appearances at Celtic Park. Billy Gilmour was signed by Chelsea in 2017, before he had even made an appearance for the Rangers first team.

On reflection, the following is a list of 14 Celtic and Rangers wonderkids from the past, along with their current status:

1. Forward, Rory Wilson

Presently, he is affiliated with Aston Villa. He rapidly advanced through the junior ranks and was the most recent high-profile player to depart Ibrox as he continues to challenge himself in the south. During Steven Gerrard’s tenure, the adolescent striker relocated to Aston Villa for a reduced fee. He anticipates that his development will enable him to make a significant impact in the first team within the next few years. I am unable to cease scoring for the club’s Under-18 team.Craig Foy – SNS Group / SFA

2. Ben Doak – Winger

Liverpool, the individual’s present club, is The former Hoops prodigy has been predicted to have a significant future and was recently referred to as a “special boy” by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp. Became the second athlete to appear in the first week of a Premier League season before turning 18 after Michael Owen. Since his debut, the direct and brisk wide receiver has undoubtedly improved.

3. Dapo Mebude – Forward

Current club: KV Oostende (Belgium) During Gerrard’s tenure, he arrived in Govan and made his senior debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. After declining a three-year contract, he was loaned to Queen of the South and subsequently transferred to Watford on a free transfer. Displayed glimpses of his quality while on loan at AFC Wimbledon, but was unable to make a first-team breakthrough. The youngster is currently in Belgium, but the season has been disrupted by a severe automobile accident. Fortunately, they are making progress in their recovery.

4. Liam Hughes – Goalkeeper

FC Haka – Despite Celtic’s efforts to persuade the Northern Ireland Under/21 goalkeeper to remain at Lennoxtown, he ultimately chose to join Liverpool, despite his awareness that it was improbable that he would be able to make the first team. He was sufficiently impressed to surpass the role of “training keeper” in which he was initially recruited and to acquire top-tier experience by spending a season on loan at Stalybridge Celtic in the Northern Premier League. The Reds released it during the summer, and it is currently in Finland.

5. Billy Gilmour – Midfielder

Brighton & Hove Albion is the current franchise. A remarkable success story that eluded the Rangers. Refused to sign a professional contract at Ibrox in favor of relocating to London. Under Frank Lampard, he was the star of Chelsea’s first squad. However, he was loaned out to Norwich City after falling out of favor with Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge. Since then, he has emerged as a critical member of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad and is currently at the Amex Stadium, where he is making up for lost time following a sluggish start.

6. Armstrong Oko-Flex – Winger

Currently, I am a member of FC Zurich in Switzerland. The young Republic of Ireland player unexpectedly returned to London by joining West Ham last summer, after having previously relocated to the north to join Celtic from Arsenal in 2018. A consistent fixture for the club’s Under-23 team in the Premier League 2. Before departing for the Swiss Super League on a two-year contract this summer, he was loaned to Swansea City. In the Swiss Cup, he scored on his Zurich debut.

7. Nathan Patterson – Right-back

Presently, Everton is his club. Rangers accepted a £12 million bid from the Goodison Park club, which was subsequently increased to £16 million, before he made only a smattering of first-team appearances. Initially, he encountered injury complications while attempting to unseat club legend Seamus Coleman from the team. However, he has since demonstrated his value by delivering several exceptional performances when afforded the opportunity. The primary concern appears to be maintaining one’s physical fitness and avoiding injuries.

8. Karamoko Dembele – Winger

Current club: Blackpool (on loan) At the age of 13, he made his debut with Celtic’s Under-20 team. Due to his diminutive stature and exceptional dribbling skills, he was once compared to Lionel Messi. At the youth level, he represented Scotland and England and became a ubiquitous name. Although significant accomplishments were anticipated, the transition from the Hoops has not been without its challenges. He sought a new challenge and signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 team Stade Brest. However, he was unable to score or provide an assist during the Breakout season at Blackpool.

9. Josh Adam, a midfielder

Manchester City is his present club. After delivering numerous remarkable performances in the Under-18 Premier League, he may be the next in a line of promising Manchester City players to make his debut in the first team. In 25 appearances last term, he tallied eight goals and provided 11 assists. I am eager to acquire knowledge from individuals such as Kevin de Bruyne and his colleagues in the future.Photographer: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC

10. Kai Kennedy – Winger

York City serves as the present franchise. Rangers released the 21-year-old earlier this summer after he made only one senior appearance, despite his initial interest from some of Europe’s most prominent clubs. After “losing his way,” he is currently playing in the Vanarama National League. He had a successful loan tenure with Falkirk in SPFL League One last season, scoring nine goals in 29 appearances. At one point, it appeared that he was on his way to America. Sporadically represented in the National League.

11. Nathan Young-Coombes – Forward

Brentford, a current franchise, In 2019, he relocated from Chelsea to Ibrox, where his arrest was perceived as a triumph. After being impressed by numerous junior teams, he became dissatisfied with the absence of first-team opportunities and is currently a consistent member of the Bees’ B-team. Is highly regarded by manager Thomas Frank and has been granted a sample of the Premier League.

12. Liam Morrison – Center-back

Current club: Wigan Athletic (on loan) – A future Scotland international and current Under-21 captain, who began his career in Rangers’ development system before moving across the city to Celtic. At the age of 16, he was training with the first-team squad when the Bundesliga heavyweights offered him his first professional contract. Two years ago, he was promoted to the B-team squad and was recognized as one of the “60 best young talents in the world” in 2020. Has returned to the United Kingdom for a temporary stint with the Liverpool FC.Image: SNS Group/Ross MacDonald

13. Adedire Mebude – Forward

Currently, he is on loan from KVC Westerlo (Belgium) to Bristol City. He similarly declined a professional contract with Rangers to join Manchester City at the age of 16, as his brother Dapo did.He has since demonstrated exceptional performance as a member of their academy system and has a promising future. As a member of City’s Under-18 Premier League-winning team last season, he was awarded the Players’ Player of the Year award. During that time, he scored 12 goals and recorded 17 assists. In the January window, he was granted a loan to Bristol City.

14. Owen Moffat – Winger

Currently, he is on loan at Dunfermline. Since the age of seven, Moffat has been a member of the Hoops academy. In 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club and became a hero for the B-team in the Lowland League. In December 2021, he made his first senior league debut against St Mirren under Ange Postecoglou. However, he found opportunities to develop limited and joined Blackpool to join their development squad. After being loaned to Championship team Dunfermline in order to obtain first-team experience, he has returned to Scotland after signing a three-year contract with the option of an additional year.Photo credit: Craig Foy – SNS Group

Kenny Dalglish calls out the ‘awful’ Rangers cliché while mentioning Philippe Clement’s £40 million issue

As the Light Blues attempt to unseat Celtic, the Belgian manager will have a significant player turnover this summer.

Rangers’ “totally unac­ceptable” record versus Celtic over the previous three years has been criticized by Kenny Dalglish, who also cautioned that despite the Hoops’ assurance of Champions League football, things won’t get any easier.

The agony for Rangers supporters continued last season as Philippe Clement went winless against the Hoops, including in the Scottish Cup final, and has yet to secure a victory over Celtic since taking over at Ibrox. And with just two victories over their opponents over the previous three seasons, the Light Blues’ record doesn’t get any better for Ibrox aficionados.

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team was defeated 1-0 by Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in August 2021, handing the Australian loser of his first Old Firm derby. Michael Beale would win his first Old Firm match in May 2023, defeating Celtic 3-0, on his sixth try, however Celtic had already been declared Scottish Premiership title at that point.

Dalglish also says that Rangers’ record is “not good enough,” but he believes the team might not be able to afford to catch up to their rivals because Celtic is guaranteed a £40 million prize from the group stage, while Clement has to get through the playoffs. Dalglish wrote the following in his Sunday Post article: “Brendan Rodgers and his team were deserving winners. They produced the goods when it counted.

“They drew with Rangers once and defeated them four times. It was an excellent recording. Conversely, Rangers must figure out how to defeat their fiercest opponents. They believe that their performance in Old Firm games over the previous three years has been completely unacceptable. Yes, they can mention that a single goal decided all of their losses. In the Scottish Cup final last week, they also had Celtic pinned back for stretches and performed admirably at times.

“But given the size of the club and its success rate, since when was that enough or appropriate? Now it is up to Philippe Clement to figure out a solution. He also needs to finish it right now. More losses are not acceptable.

“There won’t be a bottomless hole, but we’ll have to wait and see what type of budget he has to work with. The sooner players are admitted, the better. They must bring in some quality players and make more of an effort from the current bunch, especially from those who will still be there at the beginning of August.

“What a boost it would be if they could secure the £40 million riches from that, especially since that is the month their Champions League qualifiers start.” Although it is a significant request, completing the two rounds is not impossible.

“It is much evident now that people in the city are certain about what they can do in the transfer market. It will be lot more comforting for Brendan and the hierarchy to know what they have to deal with.

“A situation like occurred with Jota last summer, in which a bid from Saudi Arabia appeared out of the blue and he left for a figure of £25 million, might still occur. However, it appears that Celtic are well-positioned to respond to any eventuality, even a big offer for Matt O’Riley.”