Celtic will be looking to strengthen their first-team squad in this summer transfer window. At least that is what the supporters are hoping for.

There are several positions in the squad, from top to bottom, that need to be strengthened. Will Celtic be able to do that?

At the same time, Celtic are bound to always keep an eye out for the best young talents available. And it looks like they are close to signing one of them them.

It appears that Northern Irish centre-back Shea McGarry has agreed a move to join Celtic.

Still just 16 years of age, McGarry has made three senior appearances for Cliftonville already. So, it is easy to see why he is considered one of the brightest talents to come through their ranks in recent times.

McGarry has also represented Northern Ireland at both U17 and U19 levels already, showing that he is ahead of other youngsters in his age bracket.

Of course, when it comes to Celtic signing youngsters, the discussion is bound to turn towards the pathway to the first team available to them. Or more appropriately, the lack of one.

The club have had plenty of talent over the years. But they have not always been given the chances that they deserve.

It was Ben Doak's choice to leave early on to join Liverpool after Ange Postecoglou handed him a couple of appearances as a 16-year-old. But it was on the management when it came to how Rocco Vata's situation was handled.

Vata did not get nearly enough chances and eventually moved to Watford. He has shown his ability to deliver at the senior level of football there. That is merely one example of the number of talented youngsters who have not been afforded the opportunities they needed early in their careers at Celtic.

At the end of the day, one cannot always point the finger at the managers. They are under pressure to win pretty much every domestic game. As a result, it is not easy to give consistent chances to youngsters in such a high-pressure environment.

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Someone like McGarry is a pretty good addition to this Celtic team. There is no doubt that he has a ton of potential.

That being said, he is not someone who will go straight into the first-team picture. At least one would imagine so.

When he is ready to make the jump a few years down the line, will Celtic take the risk, especially in a position like centre-back, where the room for error is very small? Or would they stick with the tried-and-tested again?

It is most likely going to be the latter. So, it remains to be seen what the long-term pathway is for someone like McGarry.

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