Celtic’s priority ahead of the summer transfer window is seemingly set on luring the best young talent they can find to Parkhead.
Liam Shaw has already agreed a deal to join the Hoops but there are others in their crosshairs, particularly Kyle Joseph and Kwadwo Baah.
What’s the word?
The Bhoys are relentlessly striving to improve the depth of their talent pool at Paradise. As such, they could now line up a move for another young player.
That happens to be 16-year-old St Mirren gem Dylan Reid. He has recently just signed a new deal until 2023 with the club but his manager, Jim Goodwin, is wary of suitors from elsewhere.
Speaking over the weekend, he said: “He's had his head turned by a number of huge clubs. I'm not just talking about here in Scotland.
"The two big boys [Rangers and Celtic] in Scotland would love to have him. Half a dozen of the big lads in England would love to have him and we've got teams in Germany as well."
Brown successor on the cards
At the tender age of 16, Reid doesn’t have much first-team football under his belt but as the season comes to a close, he is starting to emerge as a genuine option in the middle of St Mirren’s side.
He made his senior debut against Rangers earlier this month, appearing from the bench for two minutes. The young midfielder was then among the subs again against Hamilton last weekend.
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We’ve not had a great chance to catch a glimpse of his qualities, but Goodwin only has fine words to say:
“The age situation doesn’t concern me,” the St Mirren boss began. “He’s not a small 16-year-old, he’s very athletic and strong already. Technically, he’s already as good as what we’ve got in the squad.”
"He’s been training with the first-team for a number of weeks and he looks as if he belongs here. He doesn’t look out of place in any session we’ve had him in.”
Possessing the ability to play in holding midfield, he could be the long-term successor to a certain Scott Brown.
The Hoops skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with completely hanging up his boots. Brown has looked leggy at points this term and at the age of 35, you can hardly blame him.
Therefore, the idea of signing an athletic and strong midfielder like Reid certainly has plenty of appeal.
At just 16, he would undoubtedly be one for the future but as his manager says, Reid doesn’t look out of place among senior professionals.