I was pleased to see a couple of other Celtic fan sites pick up on the story of young Daniel Cummings these past few days, with a piece on one of those clickbait sites suggesting he’s being monitored by clubs in England. This didn’t surprise me, as I highlighted Cummings as our breakout star earlier in the campaign, comparing his early goal tally with that of Rocco Vata’s.
Cummings is a hugely promising young player, and I know he’s keen to be part of this club’s future. But he hasn’t signed a new deal yet, which is concerning, especially given the number of talented youngsters we’ve lost in recent years.
Of course, not every one of those exits was down to Celtic. We’ve done everything to keep players like Vata and Daniel Kelly. But for some time, I’ve lamented that Celtic seems unable to produce a promising young striker. If we’ve found one now and allow him to leave only to see him thrive elsewhere, it would be deeply frustrating.
So, what can we do to keep him?
Well, we could promote him to the first team, get him training with the senior players, and show him that there’s a clear pathway here. But this is complicated, because while he’s clearly talented and finding the back of the net, those aren’t the only considerations.
Think for a moment about Brendan Rodgers’ approach.
He’s always looking for specific qualities in a player. Just as he identified something in Adam Idah that even Norwich missed, Rodgers will have clear standards. For one, he values pace and power—qualities that are crucial for anyone who wants to break into his squad. Without those attributes, Rodgers won’t likely consider a player, no matter how skilled they are.
That’s not to say Cummings isn’t an excellent prospect, or that he wouldn’t succeed in a different setup. But Rodgers, like Ange Postecoglou before him, has built a system here, and anyone who doesn’t fit the profile won’t be getting much time on the pitch. Promoting someone from the academy who doesn’t match that profile could waste everyone’s time.
I don’t know enough about Cummings to say if he meets these criteria, but if he’s not yet on the cusp of the first team, there might be reasons for that. Rodgers will be watching everything; he’ll know what he needs to know already. If he thinks this lad has what it takes, he’ll make sure a new deal is offered, and that the pathway to the first team is clear. If Cummings has the pace and power Rodgers requires, he won’t hold him back.
We have to stop the steady flow of talented players leaving the club. Not every departure is a mistake, but if we can hold on to those with genuine potential, it can only benefit Celtic’s future. Seeing young players rise through the ranks isn’t just exciting—it’s crucial in today’s market. If we can develop our own talent instead of constantly buying, it saves the club a fortune.
Yet, keeping players isn’t entirely within our control. The manager can offer them a clear path, but the players themselves must want to walk it. Young players have to be patient; they must accept that their path to regular first-team action won’t be immediate. There will be sacrifices along the way. Vata and Kelly weren’t prepared to wait, and that’s why neither is still at the club.
In both cases, the pathway was laid out. The club was transparent about their future here, but the players weren’t willing to trust that process. I’ve heard various reasons why, ranging from personality clashes to doubts about opportunities. But if the club makes the offers and the players still choose to leave, what more can we do?
If Cummings is similarly lured by money and the prospect of opportunities elsewhere, then Celtic’s hands are tied. And frankly, if money is a young player’s main motivator, then they may not have the patience required to grow and succeed here.
Football careers are short, and the desire to maximise earnings is understandable. But if that’s all a player is focused on, they’re likely off to the wrong start.
Ultimately, only time will tell what happens here.
If Cummings declines a new deal, or if the club decides not to offer one, we may never fully understand the reasons why. Sometimes it’s nobody’s fault—club and player just aren’t the right fit, or the player can’t see a path forward. I hope this isn’t the case with Cummings. I want him to commit to a new contract and work his way into the first team.
Perhaps all this concern is premature, and we’re worrying for nothing. But with our patchy record in retaining young players, I understand why fans are anxious. At some point, the pattern does have to change. Hopefully, this situation will be the turning point.
I think the position of authority that Brendan has established for himself at Celtic Park, combined with his in depth knowledge of all the club’s players and their capabilities, will ensure the correct decision is reached on Daniel Cummings. If he fits Brendan’s profile then he’ll find the means to ensure he stays with Celtic. If not he’ll go the way of Vata and Kelly.