Celts to Announce Scouting Partnership with Hungarians?

Last updated : 06 April 2009 By Clydebuilt
Celtic are about to launch a player partnership with Hungarian side Ujpest according to reports this morning. The deal, which would see young Celts going the Soproni Liga to learn their trade, was commented on by the Ujpest sporting director Istvan Salloi.

"The Scottish team would like to extend their scouting system in Eastern Europe. They wanted to see the conditions of Ujpest - and the stadium, the dressing room and the facilities meet their European standard requirements.

"Of course, we didn't make a secret of the fact we have problems with the number of training pitches. They were curious about the quality of the Hungarian First Division. After watching our game against Debrecen - which we won 2-0 - they said Ujpest could fight successfully in the Scottish Premier League.

"We would like to get Celtic players from the ages of 19 up to 22 to come to our club. We could get those who don't get a chance in the Celtic first team, but would provide great strengthening to our squad.

"If they sign players from South America, for example, then they could test those players in Ujpest. I think there's a real possibility for the mutual partnership."

This deal seems to be less than mutually advantageous for Celtic, although the potential for unearthing an eastern European gem is apparent. The training pitch issues that the sporting director alludes to may cause this deal to never get off the ground.

Watch this space

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt