Celtic had a frantic summer as Ange Postecoglou and Dominic McKay got to work quickly on repairing the rubble of a disastrous 2020/21 campaign at Parkhead.
They added a host of first-team names to their ranks while also bolstering the reserves who are taking part in the Lowland League this term.
What’s the word?
The window only slammed shut just under 48 hours ago but the Hoops are already plotting who they want to sign in January.
They have been targeting two players in the top-flight of Irish football after initially turning to Liam Scales in the transfer window.
One of the players who Celtic are
planning to scout this week is Drogheda teenager Killian Phillips.
They will watch the player on Friday and then decide whether to bring him to the club on a permanent basis in a few months time.
That’s according to reporter Daniel McDonnell who initially took to
Twitter to say: “Celtic are tracking Sligo Rovers prospect Johnny Kenny. He’ll be watched on Friday and is on their long term radar. Drogheda’s Killian Phillips is also being monitored.”
Their new Ajer?
At just 19 years of age, Phillips is very much a player for the future.
Coincidentally, he also looks like a similar type of player to Liam Shaw. Celtic signed the youngster from Sheffield Wednesday after agreeing to a deal before the summer got underway.
That being said, despite his versatility as a defender and a midfielder, he is yet to make his debut for the Bhoys.
That characteristic reminds us of a certain Kristoffer Ajer. The Norwegian arrived at Celtic as a 17-year-old but he was a defensive midfielder when he walked through the door.
Ajer was transformed into a centre-back and it’s there where he’s really cut his teeth as a professional footballer.
He’s now signed for Brentford in a deal worth
£17.5m but his heir apparent – Leo Hjelde – also headed for an exit.
However, by signing Phillips, they could make up for the loss of Hjelde.
The Drogheda teenager is a midfielder by trade but is also
capable of playing further back in defence. It’s that versatility that reminds us the most of Ajer when comparing the duo.
Phillips also played on the wing in Ireland last season. That wasn’t something that Ajer had in his locker but he did feature as a rampaging full-back on the odd occasion.
Although the Irishman wouldn’t be an instant player for the first-team, his future in the game looks immense.
