At just 18, Kelly had made it into the Celtic matchday squad and earned his full debut last season. After scoring against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup, he appeared to be a promising talent in Celtic’s youth ranks. However, with his contract nearing its end, the decision was up to him. Despite expressing a desire to stay, Kelly turned down a £5,000 per week offer from Celtic and chose to sign with Millwall last week.
Walker: Daniel Kelly’s Celtic exit was the ‘right decision’
Andy Walker shared his views on why Daniel Kelly’s decision to join Millwall instead of Celtic was the right move for the young midfielder. On The Go Radio Football Show, Walker explained, “I cover Hull and Millwall, and I see that Millwall have acquired Daniel Kelly from Celtic for a nominal fee of £400,000. In my opinion, this was the correct decision for him.”
Walker highlighted the challenge young players face at Celtic and other top Scottish clubs, noting, “It’s extremely tough for a young player at Celtic, Rangers, or most top-flight Scottish clubs to secure regular playing time and make significant progress.”
He added, “If Kelly is moving to Millwall where he’s likely to get more game time, that’s definitely beneficial for his development.” Although some Celtic fans might not agree, Walker’s assessment reflects the difficulties young players face in breaking into top teams and the potential benefits of playing more regularly.
The number of opportunities for young players to join Celtic’s first team has been limited, but Millwall’s director of football has hinted that Kelly will play a significant role in their future plans. Celtic is now working on establishing a clear pathway for academy players who are ready to advance to the first team. With Brendan Rodgers at the helm, there is a strong focus on nurturing young talent. Fans hope to see progress in this area soon, as the club cannot afford to keep losing top prospects for minimal fees.
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