Celtic have tried to make multiple new additions to their squad this summer. In most cases, they have managed to succeed. But naturally, there have been some instances where they have not been able to bring in the players that they had their eyes on. That is just how transfer windows work.
A few weeks ago, Celtic were linked with St Mirren youngster, Dylan Reid. Rumours had even suggested that the Hoops had agreed a transfer fee around £125,000 for the 17-year-old defensive midfielder and had held talks with him, to convince him to come to Parkhead.
But, in what was a bold decision, Reid turned down the chance to move to Celtic and stayed put at St Mirren instead. Benfica and the Rangers were also linked with the youngster this summer.
In modern football, it is rare to see a youngster rejecting the chance to move to big clubs and instead focus on his development where he is at. He has already represented St Mirren at the Premiership level. At the start of the year, he joined Queen’s Park on a loan deal until the end of the season as well.
Stephen Robinson praises player for turning down chance to join Celtic
St Mirren manager, Stephen Robinson, has been quick to praise the player’s decision to stay with the Buddies instead of making the big move to Parkhead. As reported by Daily Record, he said:
"“I don’t know the finances but I’m sure it would have been a lot more rewarding than at St Mirren. Credit to Dylan he has backed himself because he believes he will break into the first team here.“If he does he will be an asset to ourselves and if he does leave he will go as a first team player as proposed to a B player or under 23 player. It wasn’t a surprise to me. His mum and advisors have their heads screwed on and know what they are doing. If you look at St Mirren and myself as a manager then I play young players if they are ready.“That’s up to Dylan to be ready. Look at Ethan Erhahon he is 21 and played over 100 games. We have Jay Henderson and Kieran Offord involved. It’s a good statement from him. It doesn’t guarantee him first team football – that’s up to Dylan.“If you go to some of the bigger clubs they are under a lot more pressure instantly and you maybe don’t get any chance to develop. Players need a platform to play and if you are training with the first team every day then you get that opportunity to impress. And I don’t think he will get that at the bigger clubs at this stage.“If you look at David Turnbull he played a season for Motherwell and established himself as a top, top footballer and went as a first team player with Celtic. Other boys hadn’t done that, gone to England and fallen away. It will eat you up if you are not established, or strong enough mentally.“Home comforts are a thing as well. Dylan is a sensible boy. There’s no guarantees he will play but if he pushes on the way we think he could then he will have an opportunity.”"
Reid could have been a decent youth team player for Celtic at this stage of his career. But it is safe to say that he would not be playing for the Hoops’ senior side straight off the bat.
Nevertheless, he has chosen to stay put at St Mirren, where he has a chance to play more first-team minutes in the immediate future. That is admirable in itself and let’s see how things go for him from here. If he manages to prove his worth, Celtic might decide to try to sign him in the future again.