BRENDAN Rodgers has branded the quality of the Celtic Under-17 side’s Glasgow Cup final against Rangers as “poor” and “awful” - and warned the Parkhead club's youngsters they will have to perform far better in future to force their way into his team.
Rodgers, who spent spells as a youth coach at both Reading and Chelsea at the outset of his career, attended the showpiece age-group game at Firhill last Wednesday night.
The Northern Irishman was pleased to see Celtic defeat their city rivals 2-1 to lift the famous trophy for the fourth consecutive season – but admitted he had been disappointed by the level of their performance.
The 44-year-old, who is keen for every side at Lennoxtown to adopt the same approach to matches as the first team, believes the Scottish champions must work hard to improve the standard of player they are producing.
"The under-17s final was a poor game,” said Rodgers. “In terms of Scottish football the standard was awful.
“There were some good players in both teams and the kids won, which was great, and there were two or three moments of quality. But the overall level of quality wasn’t good. I have seen some good kids up here and it’s a good level. But they would have to play better football than that.
“The under 20s the other night (Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 in the Youth Cup final at Hampden on Wednesday evening) was a good game. They showed good tactical awareness and played at a good level, in terms of speed, organisation with their pressing, they got the ball back quickly and were fast getting forward.
“It was good. The progress will come with the 17s, but we need to influence it even further down to eventually produce it at the top level.
“Otherwise you are producing players who just give away the ball, instead of passing. There’s a big difference if you want to produce players for Scotland that allows the national team to do well.”
Rodgers, who praised the quality of coaching the youngsters at Lennoxtown received, stressed he was keen for every Celtic age-group side to play the same way as the first team going forward.
The former Swansea City and Liverpool manager believes that will enable more of the talented kids to make the breakthrough into his side in the future.
“I give them my views,” he said. “That’s why I am here, to pass on my experience. I’m new here, but it’s my job to help. We have brilliant coaches here at youth level with Chris (McCart) overseeing it, Tam McIntrye and Michael (O’Halloran) with the 17s, their assistants, they have great enthusiasm and energy.
“But we’re trying to take a different path. You saw it with one of the goals the other night (in the youth cup final), we want our goalkeepers to pass. The second goal came from a tactical idea of waiting for a ball over the top.
“That education comes through knowledge of coaches in training that will develop players that can play at the highest level. That takes time. It’s not about changing how people coach, but as long as the same principles are in mind that will get them through quicker to the first team.”
Rodgers is confident that several of the players who helped the under-20 side triumph this week can challenge for a place in his side in the seasons to come.
“A number of them did well,” he said. “(Conor) Hazard, the keeper, has a big future. He’s 6ft 7in and comfortable. He was an outfield player until he was 15 and then was stuck in goal and was the player of the tournament.
“(Anthony) Ralston has a great chance. He looks like Danny McGrain - but wider! In every sense! He’s very good, Mikey Johnstone is a real big talent at 17. These boys are all developing. Whether they all play for the first team won’t just be down to talent.
“But it’s good to see the effects of the habits at the club throughout the season. That confidence passes down from the first team. Their composure and touch were great throughout.”
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