Reports from the Express earlier said that Celtic were keeping track of Swansea City right-back Connor Roberts. However, latest reports confirm that the Welsh international has signed a new deal with the Swans which would keep him at the Liberty City Stadium until 2022. This could come as a massive blow for Brendan Rodgers as right back is one of the positions where the club needs strengthening.
The 23-year-old has come from the club’s academy, and it was always likely that he would commit his future with the Swans. After signing the contract, the fullback was quoted as saying,”I’ve had a good few months, but I want to keep playing well, improving and proving I’m good enough and worthy of a place in the team.
“The next few years give me a chance to stay in the team, continue improving as a player. Hopefully, the end goal is to be back in the Premier League by the time my contract is up.”
Celtic’s regular right back, Mikael Lustig has been at the club for the last six years, and he has been more than a loyal servant. However, his performances have dipped in the previous few months, and the Swedish international has been behind some glaring errors which have cost the Hoops dearly especially in the Europa League. The 31- year-old is currently captaining the side in the absence of Scott Brown, but we believe the club shouldn’t stick with him beyond this season.
Having entered in the final year of his contract, Lustig was recently linked (according to Swedish publication Fotboll Direkt) to a Swedish club AIK who are looking to sign him for free next summer. There have been no indications or reports yet that the Hoops can offer him a new deal. Therefore, it was expected that the Bhoys could look to strengthen in the fullback position in the upcoming transfer window.
Roberts made eleven appearances last season in all competitions including four in the Premier League when the Swans got demoted to the Championship. Under Graham Potter, he has been a regular and the 23-year-old has played in every league game so far this season. Given that he is 23 and already a Welsh international, Roberts would have been an upgrade over Lustig who has been a shadow of himself in the past few games.
Apart from that, Rodgers has Cristian Gamboa as the other right back option, who like Lustig is also in the final year of his deal, and there are no signs yet that the club could offer him a new contract. Therefore Roberts slipping away would be a massive loss for the Hoops and they might have to look at other alternatives to solve their right back issues.
