Callum McGregor shows no signs of slowing down after hitting the 500 games milestone for Celtic.
But when the Hoops great does eventually hang up his boots, Neil Lennon reckons there’s a future captain already in the building at Parkhead – despite having yet to play a top team game. Celtics have lost a busload of rising talent to clubs across Europe in recent years, with the likes of Ben Doak, Daniel Kelly and Liam Morrison all being lured elsewhere.
Promising striker Daniel Cummings is poised to be next in line after agreeing a pre-contract with Aston Villa. Yet while academy graduates may feel the grass is greener away from Glasgow, highly-rated midfielder Kyle Ure bucked the trend last week by extending his deal until 2027.
The 19-year-old has been tipped to be the next youngster to break into Brendan Rodgers’ senior squad after starring for the youths. Ure skippered the under-18s to Scottish Youth Cup glory against Rangers in 2023 and has been a consistent performer for the B side, impressing in the UEFA Youth League. And Lennon believes the teenager is a natural born-leader who could follow in McGregor’s footsteps.
“Kyle Ure has played really well in the UEFA Youth League and it’s great to see him signing an extension with Celtic, he is very highly thought of”, he told casino-uden-rofus.co. “There will no doubt be suitors looking on, but it’s great that he has pledged his future to the club because there are some great role models in the building including Callum McGregor who he can look up to.
“Everyone at Celtic is delighted to have him on board and now is the time to develop him into a first team player where he can really mature. I think the club can get the best out of him and with his leadership qualities, why can’t he even be a future captain.”