The transfer window slammed shut just under 48 hours ago but Celtic and Ange Postecoglou are already planning their next signings ahead of January.
The Hoops signed no fewer than 12 first-team players in the summer market but as they should be, they’re looking at further ways to improve and get ahead in the market.
What’s the word?
One area of the squad that Postecoglou has been keen to improve is the younger options available to him.
Liam Shaw, Liam Scales and Osaze Urhoghide all arrived this summer while Joey Dawson and Bosun Lawal also became Celtic players.
However, the Bhoys won’t stop there in order to improve their youth ranks.
According to The Irish Independent, Celtic are keeping tabs on Sligo Rovers forward Johnny Kenny.
They have planned a scouting mission for Friday when the 18-year-old’s team will take on Drogheda United.
Ange will love him
When Postecoglou was first given the Celtic job, he revealed just how important young players would be to his plans.
The Australian said: “I’m a big believer that, if you can produce homegrown talent and players who have come through the club, there’s extra meaning to represent that football club for the player. For the supporters, they see one of their own out there and I think that’s very important.”
He added: “The first step of that is to make sure the talent is being produced and nurtured at the club. I want to get really involved in the Academy process and see where they’re at. They’ve produced some fantastic footballers in recent times.
“My job is to give those footballers an opportunity and make them realise their potential. For me, age is irrelevant.”
Those quotes came within days of him taking the role and he has so far lived up to that promise with the sheer number of teenagers he’s signed.
Furthermore, he has already made moves to include academy players in the matchday squad on a regular basis with Dane Murray and Adam Montgomery earning game time in the early moments of the season.
Therefore, if you consider Kenny's qualities and CV to date, Postecoglou should love him.
Speaking about the Irishman earlier this year, Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley commented: “He's a top talent. We pulled him into the first-team group this year from the start - he jumped in and he's not looking back.”
Buckley concluded: “His finishing is really good."
Six senior goals in just 23 senior outings at his age is an impressive haul and he opened his account for 2021/22 by scoring a goal for his team in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers against Icelandic opposition FH Hafnarfjördur.
With so many vibrant young players walking through the door, the future looks bright at Parkhead; the addition of Kenny will also improve that.