Finn Harps starlet at Lennoxtown amid Celtic transfer talk

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The Celtic Star

·8 May 2025

Finn Harps starlet at Lennoxtown amid Celtic transfer talk

Celtic are hosting a Republic of Ireland U17 international on trial at Lennoxtown this week, local reports from Ireland have claimed…

Gavin McAteer. Photo: Joe Boland (North West Newspix)

16-year-old Gavin McAteer, a midfielder for Finn Harps, is spending four days in Glasgow before heading back to Donegal for his side’s match against Athlone Town on Friday evening.

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McAteer previously trialled with English Premier League club Nottingham Forest, but now the Scottish Premiership Champions have shown interest in the promising young talent.

“Celtic are very keen to throw their hat in the ring”

Gavin McAteer. Image Finn Harps FC

Finn Harps boss Kevin McHugh who featured 265 times for the Irish side, informed local media that McAteer’s trial with Celtic was going smoothly. In an exclusive interview with Donegal Live, McHugh stated: “Celtic are very keen to throw their hat in the ring. The signs so far have been good. He’s getting on very well.”

McAteer has featured 10 times for Finn Harps in the First Division this season, Ireland’s second-tier league. After becoming the club’s youngest-ever senior player at just 15 last campaign, the midfielder has made 26 appearances, registering two assists.

He earned his first Ireland U17 cap in February, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat to Finland, before featuring again in a 5-0 victory over Iceland, where he contributed an assist. In October, McAteer had a trial with Nottingham Forest, where he netted a goal in their U21 team’s 6-1 win.

Celtic aiming to strengthen their U18 and B teams this summer

With four academy products set to depart Celtic at the end of this season, the Hoops will be aiming to strengthen their U18s and B team.

Undoubtedly, this is an area Celtic must improve. The lack of first team talent being produced from the academy should be a huge concern. In previous seasons top talents have left for England. That doesn’t look like it’ll change this summer with Daniel Cummings certain to move down south.

Jude Bonnar of Celtic in action on his debut during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. Picture by Mark Runnacles

Saturday’s encounter against Hibs at Celtic Park or next Wednesday’s relatively insignificant league encounter versus Aberdeen at Pittodrie are perfect examples of where Brendan Rodgers could be handing minutes out to Celtic’s best academy products, while looking for victories.

That also allows the manager to rest some legs ahead of the Scottish Cup Final after what has been a physically demanding season for so many Celtic first team stars.

Kyle Ure, Celtic’s Academy Player of the Year has yet to be seen in a senior match-day squad this season

3rd May 2023; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland: Scottish FA Youth Cup Final, Rangers versus Celtic; Kyle Ure of Celtic with the trophy. Photo ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

Jude Bonnar has featured against Aberdeen

Jude Bonnar has featured against Aberdeen and Cummings made a cameo appearance against Aston Villa but apart from that it is slightly worrying there seems to be nobody breaking through. Even Kyle Ure, Celtic’s Academy Player of the Year has yet to be seen in a senior match-day squad this season.

Johnny Kenny. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Johnny Kenny is set to get some game-time

With Cummings set to leave the club there’s no point at all playing the striker who is set to join West Ham in these matches but it would be interesting to see Johnny Kenny get a few matches under his belt. In the few glimpses we have seen he’s looked promising and capable of playing for Celtic.

Conor Spence

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