Tottenham are reportedly closing in on a move for Celtic youngster Conall Glancy. The 16-year-old is one of the brightest prospects at the Hoops , but it looks like he’ll be heading to England before signing a professional deal in Glasgow.

Glancy has impressed in the youth ranks with his touch, vision, and confidence on the ball. Celtic had high hopes for his future, but interest from south of the border has grown, and Spurs now look set to win the race.

As reported by Mark Hendry on his substack, the move is expected to go through soon, leaving Celtic with only a small training fee in return.

Under current rules, Scottish players can leave at 16, allowing English clubs to sign them for low compensation. That system continues to hurt clubs like Celtic, who put years of work into developing talent only to lose them before they reach the first team.

John Wenham from Lilywhite Rose highlighted how the current system, in particular, leaves clubs like Celtic at a big disadvantage.

He said: (Tottenham News), “I feel sorry for Rangers and Celtic, because owing to rules in Scotland, players can leave Scottish clubs when they’re 16, whereas in Ireland, the players can’t leave until they’re 18.

“Therefore, all these Scottish clubs are getting are nominal training fees, which is obviously very frustrating, because Rangers and Celtic have lost players like Rory Wilson and Ben Doak.

“If they could get these players to sign professional deals and play regularly, suddenly they’re worth millions, rather than thousands in compensation.

“However, as long as that loophole exists, English clubs will continue to exploit it. That seems to me what Tottenham are doing here, and Glancy will likely join the Under-18s.”

Celtic will be disappointed to lose another promising youngster so early. The rules mean they miss out not only on a key player for the future but also on a proper fee for the talent they’ve developed.

This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Ben Doak and Rocco Vata are just two names who left under similar circumstances. It shows how hard it is for Scottish clubs to hold onto young players when big English sides come calling.

Unless the rules change, or Celtic find a way to lock down their young talent earlier, this problem won’t go away. Tottenham may be getting a bargain, but for Celtic, it’s another reminder of the tough battle they face in keeping their best young players.