According to emerging reports this week, Celtic are starting to have doubts over the future of their captain Scott Brown.

The 35-year-old has started every single Scottish Premiership game so far this season but has been left exposed at times due to his lack of mobility and pace, perhaps resulting in this reported pursuit of an alternative - or some would say, a successor.

90min claim that Neil Lennon is keen to secure a replacement for the veteran this summer and Crystal Palace regular James McCarthy is top of his shortlist.

This campaign has the potential to be hugely historic as the Bhoys aim for a tenth title in a row, and of course they'd like their long-serving skipper to be part of the journey, but it has been evident that a long and tiresome season may be too much for him.

However, they should forget about splashing the cash to do that and instead, opt to promote someone from within and maybe they already have the perfect heir in waiting.

Celtic signed teenage sensation Luca Connell from Bolton Wanderers last summer for £350k and Neil Lennon is thought to be a huge fan of his, resulting in a fast-track into the first-team setup.

The 19-year-old has already been called up to his national side, where Mick McCarthy labelled him a "breath of fresh air," so it's time he's given an opportunity.

“He’s left-footed and he can certainly find a pass. He hits it with a bit of authority and lets people have the ball. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in either so he’s fitted in pretty well.”

Mick McCarthy on Connell.

Whilst former Wanderers teammate Remi Matthews believes he has a very, very bright future and tipped him for huge success at Parkhead.

"From day one, he has been sensational," he said before adding: "He took to it like a duck to water and he was a standout straight away. He’s a top player. He is so talented. He’s not flashy in the sense that he won’t go and beat a man, but he has a phenomenal range of passing, and there is no doubt at all in my mind that if he was to go to Celtic, he would be their leading assist provider by the end of the season. That’s how good he is."

It seems a no-brainer for Lennon to promote Connell into the first-team and have Brown mentor him for the next eight months in the hope that he could take the reins following that tenth title.

AND in other news, Celtic set for huge mistake as transfer target moves elsewhere...