The general secretary of the Celtic Supporters' Association
insists fans will not be pressing the alarm bell at the
potential loss of two young players in as many days.
Simon Lynch joined Preston on Tuesday while midfielder Colin
Healy has opened negotiations to join Everton after both failed
to make a first team impact at Parkhead.
But Eddie Toner believes supporters will back boss Martin
O'Neill's judgement.
He said: ``I don't think we are over-concerned, to be honest.
``Our association have got every faith in Martin O'Neill's
ability to do the job and, if he felt they were good enough to
be in the first team, they would be there.
``We would be more concerned if Martin O'Neill was leaving than
any young player.
``It is disappointing that Celtic have invested money in
bringing these boys into the game and they have not had the
opportunity.
``But, ultimately, it is the manager's job to make sure the club
are competing for trophies on all fronts which he has done very
well in the last two years.
``He has made the decision to let the players go and I'm quite
happy to back his judgement at this stage.
``But the player has to do what he thinks is best for his career
as well so maybe everybody wins out of the situation.
``But I am certainly not pressing the alarm bells at this
stage.''
However, Lynch admits he would prefer to see young Scots given
their chance at Parkhead if the talent was there.
He added: ``In an ideal world, we would like to see Celtic
bringing through their own talent and those players being able
to compete on the domestic and European stage.
``But Martin O'Neill feels they are not quite ready yet and,
perhaps, it is in their own best interests to move away from
Parkhead.''
Republic of Ireland international Healy has made more
appearances for his country than Celtic so far this season.
Everton boss and former Celt David Moyes is a long-term admirer
of the youngster, who almost replaced Roy Keane at last year's
World Cup.
Lynch, 21, voiced his own concern that more young players would
follow him out of the Parkhead door following his signing at
Deepdale.
He said: ``At the Old Firm there is immense pressure on you to
win every game and, because of that pressure, you can understand
the reluctance of the managers to throw in the youngsters.
``However, I would also say it is down to the individual
manager.
``Somewhere along the line you are going to have to throw in
Scottish players if our game is going to progress.'' |
