Mansfield Town have secured a deal for Celtic winger Ben Quinn after the Irish prospect played a starring role for the Scottish Premiership champions B squad over the last two seasons in the Lowland Football League.
Nigel Clough has been preparing his side for a first campaign in the third tier since 2002/23. After initially targeting players with experience, they have now added a prospect who has shown a clinical edge in his time with Celtic’s development squad and on trial in pre-season.
Ben Quinn’s Promising Development in Scotland
The Dublin-born player left St. Patrick’s Athletic in 2020 to join Celtic’s under-18 squad and it was the 2022/23 season where he began to make his mark in Scotland. The Bhoys ‘B’ side impressed in the fifth tier in 2022/23, claiming third spot, just three points off the summit. The B sides competing at this level cannot be promoted, but Celtic put in some excellent attacking displays, averaging 2.6 goals per game over the 36-game season.
Quinn played his part, scoring 11 goals and providing a further seven assists. He had some standout performances, including a brace in a 3-1 win over Rangers’s development squad. The 2023/24 campaign was less successful for Celtic, who finished sixth in the 18-team division, but the 19-year-old winger continued to impress.
He matched his total of 11 goals and ended the season in excellent form, scoring six goals in the final nine fixtures. His development was further aided by making two starts and five total appearances in the UEFA Youth League, taking his overall record for Celtic’s B side to 23 goals and nine assists in 58 appearances.
Ben Quinn has represented Ireland up to U18 level and has proven himself to be capable of promotion to senior football and has now secured a move to help him build a career in the Football League.
Mansfield Town Squad Starting to Take Shape Ahead of League One Season
The appointment of Nigel Clough in November 2020 has been the catalyst for Mansfield Town to become a major contender for promotion in League Two and after seventh and eight-placed finishes, they secured automatic promotion in 2023/24 by finishing in third.
They have confirmed the arrival of Ben Quinn on a one-year contract after a successful trial during pre-season where the Irish winger scored three goals in three games. Nigel Clough, speaking to the club’s official website, was pleased with the player’s progress:
“Ben has done very well on trial in the last few weeks and we feel that he has some potential.
“We don’t have anything like him in the squad which is why we’ve signed him and are pleased to welcome him to the club.”
Mansfield Town have kept hold of their key players in the summer transfer window and have added players with experience, including the arrival of midfielder Keanu Baccus from St. Mirren, who has 19 caps for Australia and has been a regular for his former club in the Scottish Premiership.
Versatile 31-year-old Adedeji Oshilaja has had an extensive career in the third tier and has joined from Burton Albion. 28-year-old Frazer Blake-Tracy has been a regular for two seasons for Swindon Town but has now bolstered Mansfield’s options in central defence.
Lee Gregory has played almost 400 career games, scoring over 130 goals and will provide an option in forward areas. The 35-year-old played a key role in Peterborough’s run to the League One play-off final in 2023. Mansfield Town’s squad is settled and they have added a couple of quality additions to a team that has been on the cusp of promotion for the past three seasons. They appear ready to compete in the third tier and look capable of staying well clear of an instant return to the fourth tier.