Ange Postecoglou has a 100% record during Celtic’s pre-season but it’s now vitally important that he continues to make an impression in the transfer market.
What’s the word?
It’s just eight days until the Hoops embark on their European qualifying campaign and they only have two new young players to show for their efforts in the transfer market.
The relatively inexperienced Osaze Urhoghide and Liam Shaw have both arrived from the same club but that isn’t enough if the Bhoys want to reach the group stages of the Champions League.
One player they appear to be targeting in a right-back position is Brandon Soppy.
The Rennes teenager caught the eye in France last term and is now viewed as a genuine target for Celtic. Fabrizio Romano first revealed their interest over the weekend before an update emerged from journalist Ekrem Konur.
He said on Twitter: “Celtic have offered Rennes £3m for Brandon Soppy. Brandon has a lot of offers. Rennes are continuing contract extension talks with Brandon.”
Fans must be elated
At long last, Celtic look as though they’re going to bring in a new full-back.
After the tiresome events of last season, this was one of the most important areas the club needed to strengthen in.
Jeremie Frimpong left in January and they moved swiftly to replace him with Jonjoe Kenny.
The Englishman arrived on a temporary basis but he was nothing short of a liability in defensive situations.
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Kenny disappointed in each Old Firm derby he played in, making a succession of errors.
His shoddy back pass led to an Alfredo Morelos goal from a corner on his Old Firm induction and then put the ball into the back of his own net against Rangers a month later.
With that in mind, the Celtic hierarchy were never going to bring him back for a permanent spell.
Unfortunately, that left Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor as the only viable options at right-back heading into the new campaign.
Urhoghide can play in that role but you sense the Hoops need a more specialised full-back.
Fortunately, supporters could have their wish granted with the addition of Soppy.
He is one of the best young players in his position in Europe, ranking as the third-best 18-year-old in Europe’s top five leagues via WhoScored heading into last November’s international break.
Now aged 19, the defender has shown plenty of incredibly dangerous traits. He’s quick, can beat a player with his technique and has wonderful agility.
In the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig, Soppy is “fantastic” and possesses “endless energy.”
Cut from a similar cloth as Frimpong, the young 5 foot 11 Frenchman would undoubtedly be a direct replacement.
With his eye-catching traits and the desperate need for a new right-back, fans should be elated with this pursuit.
AND in other news, Celtic may unearth another Leigh Griffiths by signing “wonderful” 18-goal gem…