Barry Hepburn knew he was taking a gamble when he left Celtic for Bayern Munich in 2021. The odds of breaking into Bayern’s star-studded first team were slim, but the young Scot couldn’t resist the allure of joining one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs. Now on loan at Queen’s Park, Hepburn reflects on his audacious move and why he believes it was the right decision.

Hepburn’s loan move to Queen’s Park came with a unique proposition. “Queen’s Park pitched the idea to me of playing Dutch-style football, not lumping it up the park,” he told SunSport. The club’s footballing philosophy resonated with him, and the loan also offered a chance to reconnect with his family after spending three years away from home. “I felt it was the perfect loan opportunity,” Hepburn added.

While at Bayern, Hepburn was part of the Under-23 squad, competing in Germany’s fifth-tier league. His loan move to Queen’s Park has seen him step up to Scotland’s second tier, facing off against seasoned professionals. “It’s a major step up for me and I’ve been trying to take it in my stride and improve every day,” he explained.

Hepburn’s time at Bayern has been transformative. “I feel I’ve progressed so much in my game. I’ve taken on advice from so many good people,” he said. The German giants have kept a close eye on his development, and after signing a new two-year deal, Hepburn secured his loan move back to Scotland. “It’s a massive season for me. It can propel me, I can come a long way here,” he noted.

For young players like Hepburn, gaining first-team experience is crucial. “Boys at my age need first-team football, where it really matters,” he said. Hepburn is confident that his loan spell will make him a more complete player when he returns to Bayern.

When Bayern came knocking, Hepburn was faced with a dilemma. Celtic had been good to him, but the opportunity to join Bayern was too good to pass up. “I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bayern’s an incredible club. I knew the long odds on me playing for their first team,” he admitted. Yet, the move offered more than just football; it was a chance to experience a new culture and learn a new language. “Now I’m fluent in German and that makes a massive difference,” Hepburn said.

Leaving Celtic for Bayern was a reality check for Hepburn. “At Celtic, I felt like a big fish in a small pond. Going to Bayern was humbling,” he said. Despite the challenges, Hepburn has no regrets. “I played an 11-a-side bounce game against the first team and I think I got about three touches!” he recalled, laughing.

Hepburn’s move from Celtic to Bayern Munich was a bold one, but it’s a decision he stands by. The experience has been enriching both on and off the pitch, and as he continues to develop at Queen’s Park, who knows where he will land in the future.

Celtic have been finding it difficult to compete with what clubs like Bayern are offering their young starlets. Once upon a time, Celtic could rest knowing these big clubs would go out and spend big money to bring players in. However, since things have developed, many large clubs are looking to scout the next big talents early so they don’t have to pay a fortune for them.