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Report: MAC Hermann winner, Fire academy product Gutman joins Celtic

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Not long after lifting College Soccer’s most prestigious individual award, Indiana University defender Andrew Gutman is on the way to Europe.

The 2018 MAC Hermann winner has reportedly signed with Scottish Premier League giants Celtic, ending a long period of speculation about Gutman’s future professionally.

Despite a recent trial with fellow Fire teammate Matt Polster at Celtic rivals Rangers, Gutman has decided to join Brendan Rodgers side.

Gutman’s rights in MLS will still remain with the Fire, but it’s unsure whether or not he will ever return to the club.

A four-year starter and recent captain for the Hoosiers, Gutman is coming off a 23-match season with Indiana which saw him tally 11 goals and add nine assists. He helped the Hoosiers win Big-Ten regular season and tournament titles, and a place in the NCAA College Cup semifinals.

He totaled 90 games in his career at Indiana, scoring 20 goals and registering 17 assists.

Gutman becomes the second recent American player to move to Celtic, following PSG loanee Timothy Weah who will be on-loan for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign.

Comments

    • He was the best player as a senior on a very good COLLEGE team. Two other players were on the U20 or U23 team that qualified for the next youth WC.

      It will be interesting to see how he develops as a pro as it is very different – pointing out the obvious.

      I am not sure of the style and talent difference between MLS and Scotland. But, both are very physical leagues. Beasley was practically crippled with injuries during his time at Rangers.

      Perhaps just being closer to other European markets is a good reason to join the Hoops instead of the Fire. And, the Fire really hasn’t been very good recently, although I believe they made the playoffs the last two years or so.

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  1. People don’t understand that in the long run this is bad for US SOCCER. Having him leave with no compensation will not motivate the Fire and other teams to invest more in academies

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  2. Like to see this.. I remember when we couldn’t even get Sascha K on the Celtic roster..
    He’s a Left Back that scored 11 goals/9 Assists? Impressive.

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    • I will take the opposite side of this. Playing a weak league where the out come is already determined ( no isn’t, they could finish 2nd to the Rangers)
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      I just don’t see how this helps. They WILL get paid. They will have good stats, make them look good on paper. But I am not one of the many that think there is some magical coaching in every part of Europe that you cant get anywhere else…like the US for example.
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      Good for Celtic to realize what FIFA video games and MLS have known for a while now, the American is undervalued. But I done believe that Celtic offers enough in return.

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      • Reyna, Edu, Beasley, Boca, and others have played there and done well by it. Even Hyndman, they give him a chance to play, and that he doesn’t get bought off the loans is just business. We don’t seem to fight an American bias there or the level is such they need us more than the bias can effect things. I think there is a catch 22 of sorts where to get the work permit you have to reach a high level at which point are you ok with Scotland. But then several of the people who aim high and go for England or Germany are marginal players for their teams or out on loan….including to Scotland. Would some of them have been better off in Scotland to begin with? Is part of the issue snobbery?

    • yeah how is he getting a work permit? kind of like Cervi. it’s still the UK with a pretty hardline numerical percentage to get in without an appeal. and even if Scottish appeals are easier as some argue, is a mere college kid going to win on appeal?

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      • You never know he might have a grandparent born in the UK or Europe which is the easiest fastest way to get a work permit.

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