Ex-Celtic academy star heads to Australian third division

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The Celtic Star

·11 February 2026

Ex-Celtic academy star heads to Australian third division

Former Celtic academy product Barry Hepburn has secured a move to Australian third division side Manningham United…

Barry Hepburn FC Bayern, 01 11 2022, Munich Germany , Football, UEFA Youth League , FC Bayern München U19 FC Internazionale Milano. Photo IMAGO

The 21-year-old wide player – who departed Scotland in 2020 for Bayern Munich’s academy – has been officially unveiled by the Melbourne-based club in Victoria. The transfer brings to an end an 18-month period without a team for the Bannockburn born winger after he was released by Bayern II.

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Manningham announced the signing to their fans via Instagram, stating in a post: “Welcome Barry Hepburn to Manningham United FC for season 2026.”

“A talented young Scottish midfielder, Barry is a technical, quick and skilful player who brings creativity and energy to our squad. Joining us from Bayern Munich Youth, he adds exciting quality and professionalism as we continue building for the season ahead.”

Although Hepburn regularly played for Bayern’s U17 and U19 teams, he managed just four outings for their reserve side, while his former Celtic academy teammate Liam Morrison enjoyed a more productive spell in Germany.

Hepburn spent part of 2023 on loan at Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship before moving the following year to Austrian lower-division club DSV Leoben, again on a loan deal.

Liam Morrison in action for Bayern Munich. Photo: Pressefotox

Meanwhile, Liam Morrison has now signed for Aberdeen after previous spells with Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers in England.

In other news, Police Scotland have confirmed that they won’t interfere in Celtic and the Ibrox club agreeing on ticket allocations ahead of next month’s Scottish Cup quarter-final clash.

Competition regulations permit visiting teams to receive as much as 20% of the ground’s total capacity – roughly 10,000 tickets at Ibrox. Celtic are expected to push for the maximum allocation, though whether they will receive it is still uncertain.

Mounted police officers watch Celtic fans near Ibrox stadium. theRangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox, 11 March 2018. Photo by Stuart WallaceShutterstock/IMAGO

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Ticket allocation is a matter for the clubs and football authorities.”

“A proportionate policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety and minimise disruption ahead of the fixture at Ibrox in March 2026.”

Too Many Beautiful Sundays

Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 3-2 lead. theRangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox, 11 March 2018. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO

Celtic should insist on getting the entire free Broomloan stand PLUS the wee corner were they used to put us because we kept winning at their place.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order