Despite a mid-season crisis following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden exit, Celtic have exhibited utmost professionalism under Neil Lennon to secure a historic treble ‘treble’. Lennon has been handed a permanent role having successfully guided the Hoops towards glory and the former skipper, currently enjoying his second managerial regime at Parkhead, is already weighing up summer moves to reconfigure the squad amid an array of potential departures.
Celtic, meanwhile, are hailed for their prolific academy set-up after producing ample talents over the years. They have a few promising teenagers making strides at the youth ranks and 16-year-old keeper Vincent Angelini is arguably one of them who is already drawing the attention from England and Italy this early in his career.
According to Daily Record, the club have offered Angelini a two-year contract to fend off the interest from abroad. He has responded affirmatively as per reports (claims the Scottish Sun) and is expected to stretch his stay for the time being.
The youngster is the grandson of club legend David Hay who is remembered both as a player as well as manager having attained enormous success for the famous Glasgow giants.
Angelini first made his mark a couple of years back in Holland while representing the Hoops in the prestigious Marc Overmars Tournament. There he won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament reward as Celtic defeated Ajax in an intriguing final. The player holds all the traits to become their future ‘number 1’ but must keep on working hard and improving his game before knocking the first-team door within a few years time.
Craig Gordon, 36, is at the twilight of his career and lost his place to Scott Bain midway through the campaign. Bain has exhibited his expertise between the sticks and is likely to be preferred for a while. This would allow Angelini to flourish for the reserves and gradually stake a claim in Lennon’s plan similar to his teammate Karamoko Dembélé, the 16-year-old wonderkid who was majestic against Hearts in a cameo and is tipped to play a more prominent role in the next term as a bit-part yet effective squad option.
The starlet is rated for his maturity, presence of mind, positioning and reflexes. He is not only an excellent shot-stopper but also smart enough to deny the opponents one-on-one. Moreover, the ball-playing ability depicts him as a modern-day custodian who loves to operate as a ‘sweeper keeper’.
