Celtic might have had a slow summer in terms of transfer business, but the champions of Scotland are already monitoring prospects prior to the winter window. The scouts are attending games to see how they are performing for their respective outfits and as per reports from Bristol Live, the Hoops recently sent scouts at Portman Road in Ipswich Town’s 3-2 defeat to visitors Bristol City on Wednesday night.
Although speculations put forward the names of Tomas Kalas, a defender on loan from Chelsea, Daily Record suggests that there could be one other player whom the Celts might have spotted and explored extensively.
That player is none other than Hakeeb Adelakun, the 22-year-old Robins prospect who completed a Bosman switch to Bristol back in July upon expiration of his contract with Scunthorpe United.
The winger, meanwhile, had a difficult start to his Bristol career following an ankle surgery that ruled him out for months but he is now back in action and made his debut against Leeds United last weekend. Although Adelakun was taken off at half-time versus the Tractor Boys, Brendan Rodgers should be willing to monitor his progress over the course of the next few weeks before making a move.
He was previously chased by Sunderland, Hull City and Nottingham Forest back in the summer before being roped in by gaffer Lee Johnson at Ashton Gate. The young wide attacker had a blistering League One campaign with five goals and 12 assists in his final term with the Irons, and a club of Celtic’s stature must also be aware of his potential in the long run.
The Hoops have established their supremacy in Scottish football in the past decade but are expecting a sterner test this term from Rangers, their Old Firm rivals, who have left behind their years of misery following the summer appointment of Steven Gerrard as the new Ibrox chief. Moreover, injuries have halted them from stretching the gap at the top end of Premiership standings as they need reinforcements to rebuild the lineup.
Adelakun prefers to operate from the left flank and offers pace, directness and strong crossing and passing traits. Despite having players like veteran Scott Sinclair and versatile Callum McGregor, Rodgers would demand depth and diversity upfront with an outright winger.
Signing the Bristol sensation should allow McGregor to settle in his preferred central midfield role and provide a serious threat to Sinclair for first-team football. The speculations are pretty premature, but again, one must not ignore the madness of the transfer window.
