Matthew Anderson – Mixed messages as Stephen McManus pleads his case

As the club look to address the left back support role for the returning Kieran Tierney, it looks ever more likely Greg Taylor will not be that player (although I notice that Conor Spence, writing on The Celtic Star this morning, is still not giving up hope), with the full-back expected to move abroad when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Left-back transfer rumours 

Celtic have been strongly linked with Japanese central defender Hayato Inamura, with reports indicating he can also play left back, as well as more tenuous links with Keita Kosugi of Djurgardens and Peterborough’s Harley Mills. So, it would appear, in theory at least, that Celtic are looking to strengthen in that area of the pitch.

However, as reported in Daily Record today, Celtic B Team boss and former club captain Stephen McManus has been very much talking up the abilities of one of our own.

Matthew Anderson, according to McManus, is something of a talent and he has been effusive in his praise for the 21-year-old left back.

“He’s got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive”

“He’s got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive. He’s a terrific boy with a brilliant family, and again, you can only stay with us, with the B team, for a couple of seasons.

“Matthew outgrew the B team two years ago. That’s why he’s not played for the B team. That’s why the next stage of his development was to go out on loan. Some people make their debut at 16 and then go and play for the rest of their careers. Some people are 21, 20, they need to go a different route. That’s fine, that’s fine.

“But what you need to do is, when you get an opportunity, you need to try and become a football player, and that’s what Matthew’s done. He’s a terrific boy, terrific worker for a terrific family, and he’ll be a top player. He’ll be a top player.”

A plea to the first team coaching staff?

McManus almost sounds like he’s sending out a plea to the first team coaching staff and perhaps even the club’s decision makers, asking them to recognise the talent that is under their nose before proceeding to the transfer market to source alternative options.

And perhaps he is. Because if you have a look at Matthew Anderson’s Transfermarkt profile it states the youngster’s contract is due to expire at the end of this month.

Now Celtic are exactly renowned for having anything approaching good communication skills, so it is always possible Anderson has signed a new deal, but the club forgot to tell anyone other than the player and his parents.
However, assuming no deal has been agreed it appears McManus’ value of the player is perhaps at odds with those dishing out the new contracts this summer.

Anderson has been on loan at Admira Wacker in the Austrian Liga 2

Anderson has been on loan at Admira Wacker in the Austrian Liga 2 this season. It appears he’s had a successful time of it, his second in Austria. Over the course of two spells with Admira, Anderson has made 44 appearances, scored a couple of goals and supplied 8 assists. He’s now got 5680 minutes under his belt as a professional and he’s been capped by Scotland through the age groups, up to Under 21 level, where he debuted in June 2023 and has since picked up 4 caps.

With McManus confirming the left back has long outgrown the Celtic B Team, the next logical step would be to promote the youngster to the first team and give him a crack in succeeding Greg Taylor and operating as Kieran Tierney’s understudy.

To do that Anderson will have to sign a new contract and be afforded the opportunity, much like Tierney did under Ronny Deila, to show he can cut it in the Celtic first team.

Here’s John Kennedy and Stephen McManus signing for Celtic back in 1998

Stephen McManus has been through the academy route at Celtic. He too was given his opportunity, grasped it and went on to captain the club he supports. In his role as B-Team manager it is clear he has spotted a player capable of following his lead.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops over the course of pre-season, as Anderson was involved in Celtic’s summer tour to USA last season, and it is fair to say impressed.

A crossroads in the 21 year old’s Celtic career

Anderson may well get that chance again this summer, but with a contract expiring and no sign of a competitive first team appearance so far, this is a crossroads in the 21 year old’s career.

It seems Stephen McManus rates the youngster and backs him to have a good career. Will he get that chance to prove that at Celtic?

We’ll find out over the summer. Hopefully the Bhoy gets given his chance.

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