Celtic’s Francis Turley laughs about rejecting Rangers

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·4. April 2025

Celtic’s Francis Turley laughs about rejecting Rangers

Celtic youngster Francis Turley has disclosed that theRangers were interested in signing him before he joined the Scottish Premiership champions’ youth academy…

Alejandro Granados of Club Brugge controls the ball under pressure from Francis Turley of Celtic during the UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge at The City Stadium on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

However, the teenager maintains that joining Celtic’s Glasgow rivals was never an option for him. A lifelong Celtic supporter, Francis Turley, 19, signed with the Hoops in the summer of 2022 on a three-year contract.

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A crucial player for Celtic’s B team this season

He has since become a crucial player for Celtic’s B team, while also gaining experience in European competition through the UEFA Youth League. His only first-team appearance came in a cameo Scottish Premiership outing against St Mirren.

Francis Turley of Celtic FC controls the ball during the UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge at The City Stadium on November 27, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Turley said: “Everyone from where I am from supported Celtic so signing for them was a bit mad.”

“I had a few options, a few in Scotland — Aberdeen and theRangers — and a few in England — Ipswich, Burnley and others. But I wanted the Celtic move to work out.”

“theRangers wasn’t going to happen, no chance”

“theRangers wasn’t going to happen, no chance. It’s always hard when you move over, that’s the reality of it. But I had stayed in the JD Academy in Jordanstown for two years from 14 to 16 five nights a week and that helped me.”

Francis Turley of Celtic FC is challenged by Alejandro Granados of Club Brugge during the UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge at The City Stadium on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘I started playing for Ardoyne Youth Club’

“Moving to a club in England or Scotland is everything you want, and you have to give it your best shot. If you work hard, the rewards are there, and we want to be footballers. I started playing for Ardoyne Youth Club when I was around six-years-old. I played there for about six years before joining Cliftonville.”

“After two seasons I moved to Glentoran and then after another two years I moved over to Celtic. I trained with the Glens first team but never made a senior debut.”

“Celtic had noticed me playing for Northern Ireland”

He added: “Celtic had noticed me playing for Northern Ireland and had been interested for a good while. A scout watched me play for the Glens and I was invited over for trials.”

Francis Turley of Celtic shoots at goal during the Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match at The City Stadium on September 18, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I was only 16 when the trials happened”

“I was only 16 when the trials happened and an opportunity to move to Scotland. I was a Cliftonville fan so that was an unreal time for me. Glentoran were one of the best teams in the country so that helped me as well. It worked out well.”

Conor Spence

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