Hat-tip to @ChuckMe92 who posted this over in a YNT thread: "According to his Instagram bio, '01 former Pateadores and US U18 player Cameron Harper is currently with Celtic. He trained/trialed with them in late 2017 and seems to have joined them beginning this season. https://www.instagram.com/cameron__harper/" I'm still trying to find confirmation of this: Harper started in a cup match for Celtic yesterday. Won on penalties.— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) December 12, 2018
Here he is in yesterday's lineup for Celtic U18 in the Scottish Youth Cup: The Starting XI for @CelticFC: Hughes, Forrest, Paterson, McRobb, McQueen, Kennedy, Dembele, Coffey, Harper, Moffat, McBride. Subs: Denham, Smith, Cusick, Quinn, Wylie, Otoo, McFarlance— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) December 11, 2018 Funny thing is the opponent, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, also had a player in their lineup named Cameron Harper, a Scottish left back. The American Cameron Harper is a winger.
Not the first one to point this out, but it's interesting how Celtic is lately taking interest in young Americans. Harper, Perez, and Rennicks all recently.
'01 California-born winger Cameron Harper, formerly of @PatsYouth, joined @CelticFC U18s in August. He will be joined in Glasgow by '99 RB Manny Perez. #usynt pic.twitter.com/PDK3ZIZEWb— Joey (@USAprospects) December 21, 2018
Called up to the US U18s. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...arts-2019-with-20-player-camp-in-carson-calif
Scored in cup final loss: Rangers run out @ScottishFA Youth Cup winners at Hampden Park despite a battling second-half performance from the young Celts. pic.twitter.com/1wnVJrnZLU— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) April 25, 2019
I've read that both of Harper's parents are Scottish which allowed him to make the early move to Celtic. Harper has had a breakout season, leading Celtic U18 with at least 17 goals as of April. Some Celtic fans had been advocating him to be named to the first-team bench for the final Scottish Premiership league matches. He's one of the early top 4 European-based wingers for the 2021 US U20 cycle (other three are Uly Llanez of Wolfsburg, Konrad de la Fuente of Barcelona, Gio Reyna of Dortmund) but is the least-well-known of them to US fans.
http://www.talkceltic.net/forums/threads/cameron-harper.150279/ They don't have threads for every random academy player, so it's somewhat notable they made one for him. They have ones for Weah, Gutman, Perez also.
📸 Good to catch up with @CelticFCAcademy and @USYNT forward @cameron__harper as he gets ready for another big season!🇺🇸 #TeamBeswicks pic.twitter.com/5l3WvcimlE— George Mellor (@gmellor94) July 19, 2019
Interview at ASN: http://www.americansoccernow.com/ar...s-celtic-s-harper-eager-for-strong-u-20-start “This year I've kicked onto the reserves,” Harper said of his situation at Celtic. “There is not really an age group for it. It's boys under 18, you have some first team players who come down. So it's a really mixed age group anywhere from 17 to 21 or 22. You’ve got a lot of really good players, a lot of older players that you are competing against… In the meantime I am just trying to learn as much from these guys because they have a lot more experience than I do. Yes, I'm enjoying it. Yes, it's a real challenge. I am progressing.”
Also: Earlier this year, he was called up to Scotland’s U-19 team for a camp in Spain the same week as he was called up by the U.S. U-18 team for the camp coached by Tab Ramos. Harper put a lot of thought into the decision and consulted with his family who helped him weigh various factors but eventually left it completely up to him, without pressure. In the end, he confidently concluded the United States was who he wanted to represent.
51’ - HARPER! 💥 Cameron Harper picks up the ball from @LiamBurt10, takes a touch and drives the ball off the post and in!CEL 3️⃣-1️⃣ MOR pic.twitter.com/2Keni2SdNE— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) September 24, 2019
Starts for reserves: #CelticFC Reserves’ line-up for group game three of the @spfl Reserve Cup! COYBIG! 🍀⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CLOGwdKstG— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) October 22, 2019 And scores: 23’ - HARPER! 🙌Robertson’s cross from a free-kick can’t be held by Scully and Harper makes no mistake to tap home the opener! DUN 0️⃣-1️⃣ CEL pic.twitter.com/GpaP2LtMya— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) October 22, 2019
Having an active game, even if no additional goals: 70’ - Save! 😣Harper comes close to his second but his powerful low shot is palmed away by Scully.DUN 0️⃣-1️⃣ CEL— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) October 22, 2019 71’ - Harper puts the ball in the back of the net after a fine move, but the linesman flags for offside.DUN 0️⃣-1️⃣ CEL— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) October 22, 2019
Warrants the caveat they are highlights, but what's there is very dynamic. We need more creative wings like him, at every level, who can get their own shot and other's. Hopefully he keeps producing as he progresses thru their system. Thanks to @ShaftBrewer for the clip package.
Starts: Here's tonight's team 📝Starting XI- Mullen: Savoury, Hendry, Church, Paterson, McKay, Robertson, Burt, Harper, Afolabi, GriffithsSubs: Smith, Murray, Mazis, McRobb, McBride,— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) November 19, 2019
Scores: 64' - GOAL! A well-deserved goal for Harper. He finishes well from close range after some good dribbling inside the box.6️⃣ - 0️⃣— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) November 19, 2019 74' - CLOSE! Savoury hits the post after Harper cuts open the defence to provide the cutback. 6️⃣ - 0️⃣— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) November 19, 2019
The goal: Birthday goal🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/LM4FKWGE8z— Cameron Harper (@cameron__harper) November 20, 2019
Starts: 📋 The #CelticFC Reserves line-up to take on @BrentfordFC B in today's closed doors friendly. Kick-off: 1pm.⚪️🟢 Come on the Hoops! 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/UAhbWbmVZy— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) November 26, 2019
Starts: 📋 Our starting XI for group game four of the #SPFL Reserve Cup! Follow #CelticFCAcademy for updates, kick-off in an hour...Come on the Hoops! 💚⚪️ pic.twitter.com/a5rJWRg3W8— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) December 2, 2019
Starts: 📋 Our starting XI for group game four of the #SPFL Reserve Cup! Follow #CelticFCAcademy for updates, kick-off in an hour...Come on the Hoops! 💚⚪️ pic.twitter.com/a5rJWRg3W8— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) December 2, 2019 And scores: Celts have been controlling possession and Harper tries an audacious shot from the right, closer to the corner flag than anywhere else. It eludes the goalkeeper and finishes in the net! (1-0)— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) December 11, 2019 34' Harper terrorising the Queen's full-back with his trickery and running since the goal (1-0)— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) December 11, 2019
Sad to report that was a mistake and it was actually his teammate Liam Burt on the goal. Can’t believe I’ve been mistaken for @cameron__harper 🤮 of all people 🤦🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤪 https://t.co/EGrsN49Cwm— Liam Burt (@LiamBurt10) December 11, 2019