Who is Sean McArdle? Youngster profiled after Celtic debut
Saturday, May 10 2025, is therefore a date that will forever be etched in the memory of Sean McArdle.
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Introduced for the closing stages of Celtic's 3-1 win over Hibernian, the midfielder, albeit for only a brief spell, didn't look out of place.
His fine switch of play to the feet of fellow substitute Paulo Bernardo gained widespread applause from the home crowd. Who exactly is Sean McArdle, though?
Sean McArdle profiled
The left-footed 17-year-old, born in 2007, signed his first professional contract with Celtic back in 2023. It was a three-year deal.
McArdle has since established himself in the B team. He featured 25 times in the Lowland League this campaign as the youngsters finished second, scoring five goals along the way. McArdle also played in six of the kids' seven UEFA Youth League matches in 2024/25.
Although McArdle isn't the tallest (Francis Turley referred to him on Instagram as 'the wee man' after his debut), he more than makes up for his lack of height in technical ability.
Indeed, a futsal background means the teenager is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces.
Saturday wasn't McArdle's maiden first-team experience after playing in a mid-season friendly with Sligo Rovers back in October last year. In the second half, he came off the bench and set up Luis Palma for a late equaliser with a fine delivery from wide towards the back post.
What is next for McArdle, then? Well, first-team boss Brendan Rodgers made clear what he desires of the teen after his bow against Hibs: "I want him to be a personality," he said.
"I like him, he's got decent legs, he's got a nice football brain, left-sided, he's got culture when he plays, and now he's got the best role models you can have in some of the players that we have here, like Callum and these guys, to learn from.
"It gives him a little reward for the good work that he's done, now he's got to continue learning and see what comes from it."
Rodgers has already hinted at making vast changes to his starting XI when he takes his team to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday evening.
He has already told his players the lineup - whether McArdle is among those due to start remains to be seen.
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