Another promising youngster could soon be heading for the Parkhead exit door, with reports from Italy suggesting Lecce are closing in on a deal for Polish Under-19 international Filip Skorb.
The 18-year-old striker is also said to be attracting interest from Sturm Graz, but the Serie A side are believed to be leading the race for his signature.
If the move goes through, it raises another uncomfortable question for Celtic. Why do so many highly-rated young players seem to leave before supporters ever get the chance to see what they can do in the first team?
No academy produces a future first-team star every season, but there has to be a pathway. If talented youngsters feel their best opportunity lies elsewhere, then Celtic need to ask why. It cannot simply become a conveyor belt of promising players arriving, developing for a short period and then moving on without making a meaningful contribution at Parkhead.
Supporters understand that not every prospect will make the grade, and some departures are inevitable. But when another highly-rated teenager is linked with an exit, it only adds to growing concerns over the club’s long-term planning.
The first team is crying out for depth in several areas, yet young players continue to look elsewhere for opportunities. That should concern everyone involved with the club.
Filip Skorb may go on to become a top player or he may not. At 18, nobody can say for certain. But the bigger issue isn’t one individual. It’s the pattern.
Celtic have built an excellent reputation for identifying young talent from across Europe. The next challenge is making sure more of those players believe their future is in Glasgow rather than elsewhere.
If Skorb does leave, it will feel less like an isolated transfer and more like another reminder that retaining and developing the club’s brightest prospects remains an area that still needs significant improvement.
