Daniel Cummings

Celtic are set to offer Daniel Cummings a new contract.


However, the teenage striker has multiple options from England and across Europe to consider, too.

Cummings made his senior debut for the Parkhead side last night, coming on for the closing stages of a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa in the Champions League.

He has been in fine fettle for Celtic's B side this season, netting 25 goals across 26 games in all competitions.


The striker was resultantly rewarded with a senior bow in Birmingham, although his current contract in Glasgow's east end is due to expire at the end of the season.

The Celtic Way understands that Cummings is set to be offered a new deal, with the Scottish Premiership champions keen to tie him down long-term.

The 18-year-old has options from England and across Europe, however, as interest in his services mounts. He is currently free to talk to other clubs.

Celtic lost youngsters Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata to the English Championship last summer when their respective deals at Parkhead expired, although the club are looking to tie down the free-scoring Cummings, with a contract set to be offered to the striker imminently.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said academy players need to show that they're good enough when asked about Cummings a few months ago: "There's so much involved in giving a young player the opportunity to play," he said.

"It’s not just about scoring goals or performing, it’s your mentality, it’s your professionalism, it’s all these things alongside ability that is what gets you the opportunity, so that’s always something I’ll assess.

"In terms of Daniel’s output, his goals in his games, he’s done very well. But there are a lot of factors I consider when bringing in a young player.

"Ability is the first thing I look at, but your attitude and application are just as important.

"Young players will always get a chance here and there’s always a number of factors why they can or can’t get a chance, but the first one is normally ability.

"If they’re good enough, they’ll get a chance

 

Hang on, we hadn’t offered him one until now?

 

There’s talk of Daniel Cummings getting a new contract, is there any update on that?

There's no update on that.

I'd always say for the young players, I think the challenge here now for young players is patience.

They want to be in the first team at 17, 18. But that's difficult at a club like this here, unless you're an incredibly special talent. But it doesn't mean that you can never be.

I've spent my career and my life developing young players, putting them in the team. And some have been ready. Like Raheem Sterling at 17 years of age. He was ready. Physically, mentally, ability, everything.

Then there's been some other players, like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, that need a wee bit more time, and he gets his debut, and then he's ready a bit later.

It's just about time. What young players need to have here is, is understand that there's a bit of patience needed. And the captain of the club is a perfect example.

Young players come through the system, had to take a loan away from here, and then at 21 he plays, and now tomorrow he's playing his 500th game. There's no greater example. But if you want to be patient and trust the club, you'll get there.

If you don't, you might listen to your agent, who's got a different agenda, that takes you away from here, and then you'll go somewhere else. But there'll always be chances here for young players.

One, if they have the ability.

Two, if they have a bit of patience

 

55 on his shorts, it's a no from me

 

Don’t really agree with what he’s said there at all

 

Why? We should be lifting title 55 in a few months.

 

I don't really disagree with any of it. Yoing players mature, physically and mentally, at different ages.

We do need to get better at integrating youth but I think recent exodus of talents is more to do with brexit rules and the money English clubs can flash at them.

 

The manager is spot on in what he's saying.

These young guys need a massive reality check.

We are a club that has won 12 of the last 13 league titles and to get anywhere near our 1st team Ur gonna need to be an incredibly talented footballer, athlete and mentally ready for it.

There are very few players playing in the premiership that would get near our 1st team never mind someone who's footballing experience is a few months playing in the 5th tier of Scottish football.

These guys need 2 or 3 loans at a minimum, working their way up through the levels, to be anywhere near ready for it.

However they either don't have the patience for it, are to greedy or too stupid and allow themselves to be talked into moves to pish like Millwall by greedy agents.

If a guy like Brendan Rodgers, with his experience and track record of developing young players tells you that's what's required it would be incredibly wise to listen to him.