Celtic’s quest to keep another young player is coming to the boiling point. And this is not in our hands.

There’s a lot of chatter amongst the supporters right now, and with good reason, about what’s going to happen with Daniel Cummings.

I’ve written about him a couple of times on the site, identifying him early on as a real prospect to watch, especially when his scoring record overtook that of Rocco Vata—someone who’s had a lot of hype over the last couple of years. Cummings is certainly a natural goal scorer. But what does that mean in the grand scheme?

Well, it’ll mean absolutely nothing unless Daniel signs a new contract and stays at the club. I’m sure talks are underway, but it’s always a concern when a young player we want to tie down hasn’t put pen to paper. It’s entirely possible that major progress is happening quietly behind the scenes and this will be sorted soon. Equally, though, we might be heading for another disappointment. If it’s the latter, is someone at Celtic to blame for that?

This situation makes me think of an interesting film, Lions for Lambs. It’s not a classic, and many of you might not have seen it—or even care to.

It’s essentially a series of interwoven conversations, all happening on the same day, about big ideas and themes. One of those stories involves two young Marine recon troops stranded in the Afghan mountains. Another features a slick senator promoting a new military strategy during an interview with a sceptical journalist. The third sees a college professor trying to convince a disengaged student to realise his potential.

I like this film because, beneath its simple surface, it tackles huge questions—one of which is generational change. The journalist, played by Meryl Streep, represents the older generation, clinging to a shred of idealism. She remembers when the media was a force for good, holding power to account instead of cheerleading it. The student, meanwhile, embodies a younger generation more focused on short-term pleasures than big-picture thinking.

The professor, played by Robert Redford, sits between these two worlds. He’s watched his own generation grow lazy and content, and the next become cynical, distracted, and uninterested in solving the problems of the wider world. In one scene, he reflects on how he used to inspire students, convincing them to tackle big questions and believe in solutions. “I used to ace these interviews,” he tells the kids. So what changed? The students changed, he says. Now, he laments, the younger generation prefers to avoid hard truths, hard work, it refuses responsibility.

“They want to put as much distance between themselves and reality as humanly possible.”

It’s not a perfect analogy, but it resonates when thinking about Celtic’s current challenges with young players. The club hasn’t changed. The same pathways and obstacles exist as they did when Aiden McGeady was coming through.

What’s changed is the mindset of many young players. Some want everything now—be it money, first-team football, or validation. Others aren’t willing to put in the work. And some simply can’t face the possibility that they might not be good enough.

I feel for Brendan Rodgers. He’s already seen this play out twice—perhaps more—since his return. We know he sat down with Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly, made his case, and still couldn’t convince them to stay. Rodgers is not a man who typically fails at these conversations, which tells you how tough the environment has become.

If someone like Rodgers, with all his experience and authority, can’t get through to them, what chance does anyone else have? If even players like Aiden —guys who’ve walked the path—can’t convince them, then how do you change the outcome?

The truth is, some players don’t want to hear that patience, hard work, and resilience are necessary. They don’t want to gamble on their own ability to succeed at a club like Celtic when a quicker payday or guaranteed game time is available elsewhere.

This is the world we operate in now. Rodgers can only do so much. Celtic can only do so much. This isn’t about pathways, roadmaps, or perceived barriers to the first team—it’s about mindset. It’s about whether a player is willing to put in the effort and chase improvement, or whether they’re chasing money and instant gratification instead.

Daniel Cummings now faces this decision. Rodgers will make his pitch, lay out his plan, and do everything he can to keep him. But ultimately, the choice is Daniel’s.

He can stay, work hard, and aim to prove he has what it takes to be a Celtic player. Or he can go, and in doing so, perhaps prove that he doesn’t.

It’s the same decision that will confront Lennon Miller if Celtic agree a fee with Motherwell. He’ll sit across from the club’s hierarchy and hear about the vision for his future. And then he’ll have to decide if he’s willing to walk that path and put in the time to reach his potential.

In the end, that’s what it’s about—finding the next hero.

Will it be Daniel Cummings?

That’s up to the player himself … but he has to be here to do it. If he goes, he’s never going to know and neither are the rest of us.