Celtic fans have already dedicated a song to their American Bhoys as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty look to propel the Hoops to Treble glory.
But two USA youngsters before them became the Forgotten Bhoys having failed to make any appearances for the club. Celtic tapped into the American market in January 2019 when they landed highly-rated duo Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez on three-and-a-half-year deals. However, work permit issues coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic destroyed the pair’s chances of ever making the grade at Parkhead.
Both hopefuls came through the college circuit in America, but it was the capture of left-back Gutman that really made headlines. Just weeks before his shock switch to Celtic Park, the defender was on trial at Rangers and was reportedly offered a contract by Steven Gerrard after catching the eye at Auchenhowie. But the Indiana University graduate made a dramatic U-turn to commit his future across the city with Brendan Rodgers‘ side.
Speaking at the time, Gutman confessed: “I was on trial at Rangers initially and coming over I wasn’t really aware of how big the rivalry was between the two. I knew Matt Polster before my trial at Rangers, because he played in Chicago when I was growing up, but other than him I don’t keep in touch with any of the other guys there now.
“You don’t hear about it a lot in America, but when you come over to Scotland, you get told all about it. It was a weird feeling that I was on trial with Rangers then like two weeks later, I signed for Celtic after learning about the history of the two clubs. But I think I made the right choice.
“The quality in Celtic’s squad is just head and shoulders above the rest, and you can see that, especially as the season goes on, that they are able to maintain that really high level of play. I want to stay at Celtic for as long as I can. I want the Celtic fans to be patient with me because I am not an ordinary signing in terms of paperwork and stuff like that.”
That’s one way to describe his arrival at Celtic. Unfortunately for him, Gutman and fellow countryman Perez will be remembered as two of the most bizarre transfers in the club’s history. Days after completing their dream moves to Scotland, the up-and-coming talents were immediately farmed back to the States.
Gutman initially linked up ex-Hoops performance coach Jim McGuinness at Charlotte Independence on a year’s loan to help circumvent red tape issues, explaining: “I had work permit issues, and I was able to come back to America and get a loan to Charlotte under Jim McGuinness, who coached at Celtic for seven years.
“For me, it was an ideal situation. I had to go away from Celtic for a bit, but at the same time, I still feel a part of it because the coach knows the Celtic way. I still feel like I am a part of Celtic and I can work to try to make it back to the first team there.”
Gutman then made the step up with MLS side FC Cincinnati, while Perez returned to hometown club North Carolina FC. Yet despite impressing on loan, the reality was they were out of sight and out of mind as Neil Lennon’s side endured a chaotic season, blowing their dreams of ten-in-a-row.
Gutman and Perez were never seen in Glasgow again as Celts decided to cut ties and move on from the complicated debacle. The career paths of both players have taken different directions too. Now 28, uncapped Gutman has starred in the MLS with Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids and is currently on the books of Chicago Fire.
As for right-back Perez, the 25-year-old spent time with Portland Timbers and Austin FC and had an ill-fated spell with Danish minnows Horsens. He’s since returned for a second stint with Louisville City – a world away from the majestic Celtic Park.