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Fullname: Aidan Robert Nesbitt
aka: Aidan Nesbitt
Born: 5 February 1997
Birthplace: Paisley
Signed: 1 Jul 2014 (from Celtic youth)
Left: 31 Aug 2017 (to Milton Keynes)
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 2-0 Raith Rovers, League Cup, 23 Sep 2015
Squad No.: 64
Internationals: none for senior side (caps up to U20 level)
Biog
Aidan Nesbitt was regarded as another exciting youth prospect at the club. He came to the attention of the Celtic support with his winning goal in the 2014 Glasgow Cup Final. In 2015, he recovered from injury to stake a claim in the Development Squad. Comfortable playing centrally or on the wing, Nesbitt possessed a good range of skills and trickery, fitting well into the youth team’s attack-minded side.
He would save a virtuoso performance for the final of the 2015 Scottish Youth Cup where he scored a hat-trick as part of a 5-2 win over city rivals Rangers. Nesbitt was named in the team of the tournament at the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, as Scotland under-17s reached the semi-finals. It boded very well.
In April 2016, he won the Celtic academy player of the year award, so he was clearly demonstrating his talent, and following that previous cup final hat-trick he had provided he was deserving of at least a chance.
Sadly, he was to be only given a short token appearance for the senior side, coming on at the 89th minute in an early round game in the league cup against (then) lowly Raith Rovers as Celtic won comfortably 2-0.
He wasn’t given further opportunities but had deserved at least that one first team appearance that every Celtic supporters dreams of. As a prospective midfielder, the problem is that the midfield area is often the toughest position with competition for places as its greatest. Recently, Celtic had been giving youth a chance under Deila and Rodgers, with Tierney, McGregor and Henderson amongst others being blooded through for a regular place. He didn’t make that shortlist.
He was sent out soon enough on loan to Partick Thistle and then Morton to help give him gametime.
Recent years had seen some great success for young players such as the highly lauded Tierney and McGregor, so hopes were high. Others were given opportunities with new manager Brendan Rodgers publicly praising those who stepped up.
The loan stints for experience were vital to achieve more experience, but as a midfielder it was always going to be a challenge at Celtic. Even stalwarts like Bitton were having to look at other positions.
Celtic had completed the treble under Brendan Rodgers and were pushing to make a mark in Europe, not an easy field for youth players to break into, but Rodgers was very willing to give youth a chance where possible, rolling on the good work that Deila’s team had done.
He’d been through the whole Celtic youth system, and had been at the club for around 12 years. The walk-on part he achieved in one match was a well-deserved (but admittedly small) reward for all his effort and time at Celtic.
Post-Celtic
Nesbitt was to move to Milton Keynes Dons in the English lower tiers, a chance to build on his promise. At the same time, former Celtic youth player Jackson Irvine had been bought by Hull from Brighton for £2m, so proving that there was life after Celtic for the youth.
It didn’t work out down south and he returned up north, playing for Dundee Utd in the second tier, and then moved onto Morton and Falkirk (where he played alongside ex-Celt Leigh Griffiths). At Falkirk, he ended up settled and had a successful time, notably scoring 12 goals in season 2023/24.
Frustratingly he missed the start of the 2024/25 season, where second tier Falkirk drew Celtic in the League cup, only to give Celtic an almighty fright, taking the lead twice and into the half-time. The first major domestic challenge for Celtic that season, but Celtic fought back to win 5-2. Nesbitt sadly missed the game and only returned a week later for Falkirk.
[…TBC… Win the second tier title? 2024-25 back into the top tier…]
We wish him the best.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2015-16 | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
No senior honours