Key Celtic figure makes personal visit to pitch exciting Highland deal | OneFootball

Celtic are in talks with Inverness Caley Thistle over a potential cooperation agreement. The Scottish Champions have already struck up an agreement with Ayr United to provide youth talent an opportunity to flourish.

As reported by the Inverness Courier, interim Chief Executive Charlie Christie revealed that Celtic’s First Team Pathways Manager Shaun Maloney made the substantial trip up the A9 to Inverness to discuss an accord.

“We have been offered it by two or three clubs. Shaun Maloney drove up from Glasgow and said to me that they had done the data on the way Caley Thistle play.

“He said that we are only one of two clubs in League One that they would put players to and that is compliment to Scott Kellacher. Celtic is one we are looking at.”

Maloney took over from Darren O’Dea this summer after the Irishman left Celtic to join Swansea City as the Assistant Manager. Maloney is an outstanding appointment by the club, not only has he progressed through the Academy at Celtic but he’s also been a manager in his own right as well as working at an international level.

Ryan Christie. Copyright: Gonzales Photo/Lasse Lagoni

ICT’s academy helped produce Ryan Christie, who became a mainstay in Celtic’s first team as well as the Scottish National Team before moving to England with Bournemouth.

Christie, who played for Celtic in his youth, has taken over as interim chief after a takeover pulled Caley from the brink. This development would be beneficial as it would give the players an opportunity to play regularly but also live independently, especially the proximity to Glasgow.

The cooperation agreement was brought in by the SFA to allow for greater flexibility to loan quotas. This allows players in the key ‘transition phase’ of 16-21, who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club but be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.