Whatever Happened to Adam Montgomery? The Celtic Academy Graduate Whose Career Never Took Off

Remember Adam Montgomery?

There was a time when the young left-back looked like another exciting prospect emerging from Celtic’s academy. He made his first-team debut in May 2021, starting in a 4-0 victory over St Johnstone during the final weeks of the Covid-affected season, before featuring again under Ange Postecoglou.

Montgomery had pace, versatility and the potential to develop into a useful first-team player. But five years later, his Celtic career has taken a very different direction.

Injuries have been the biggest obstacle.

Loan spells at Aberdeen, Fleetwood Town, Motherwell, St Johnstone and Queen’s Park were supposed to help him gain the experience needed to challenge for a place at Celtic.

Instead, recurring injuries disrupted his progress, particularly during his spell at Motherwell, where a serious hamstring injury kept him out for an extended period.

His loan at Livingston last season was another frustrating chapter, with a recurring calf injury forcing an early return to Celtic in January 2026. He has since returned to Livingston on another season-long loan, hoping to rebuild his career.

What makes Montgomery’s story particularly interesting is the comparison with Dane Murray.

The two youngsters came through Celtic around the same period, with Murray making his senior debut against Midtjylland in July 2021. He also endured serious injury problems, including two significant knee injuries, which threatened to derail his development.

However, Murray has gradually worked his way back into contention. After impressing on loan at Queen’s Park, he returned to Celtic and has begun earning opportunities under Martin O’Neill.

Their journeys show just how unpredictable the pathway from Celtic’s academy to the first team can be.

Both players experienced setbacks, but while Murray is now fighting to establish himself in the senior squad, Montgomery is still trying to put together a consistent run of football.

It is important not to write him off. He is still young enough to rebuild his career, and his latest move to Livingston gives him another opportunity to prove himself.

But it does raise a wider question about Celtic’s youth pathway.

How many promising academy graduates have we seen come close to breaking through, only for injuries, loan moves and a lack of first-team opportunities to leave their careers drifting?

Montgomery deserves credit for continuing to fight his way back. Hopefully, his next chapter at Livingston finally gives him the consistency his Celtic career has so far lacked.