According to the latest reports from the Scottish Sun, Celtic are looking to sign West Bromwich Albion’s defender Dara O’Shea. The 20-year-old spent his time with Exeter City on loan, and it seems like Celtic have taken a liking for the defender. It is believed that Brendan Rodgers was following the youngster’s development when he was the manager at the club and Celtic have seen him play several times.
West Brom have an option to extend O’Shea’s deal for another year, but they are yet to exercise that right. Therefore as things stand, the defender could be available on a free transfer. Celtic will only have to pay a development fee to the Baggies since the player has come up from their academy.
The defender made 33 appearances in the last season, and he was the mainstay for the League Two outfit in defence. O’Shea has represented Ireland at the u-18 and 19 level, and we feel that he would soon break into their u-21 team as well.
Why Celtic need a defender?
Celtic are going to need defenders in the summer transfer market as they have already lost the services of Dedryck Boyata who is set to join Hertha Berlin. The Hoops will be hopeful of getting Filip Benkovic back on another loan spell after Rodgers indicated that he might be willing to send him again to Parkhead. However, that isn’t a guarantee at the moment, and things can change.
Why Celtic need to sign a proven player rather than one with ”potential”?
Therefore Celtic will need to sign a centre half in the upcoming transfer market. O’Shea is a future talent, but he is far from a finished product, and he is yet to be tested at a higher level. Celtic already have a young defender in the form of Jack Hendry, and they would be better off signing a more proven and established centre back to replace someone like Boyata.
Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer formed a reliable pairing at the back in the latter half of the season, but Simunovic has been prone to errors. Therefore he cannot be relied on as the first choice yet, and Celtic would be better off signing someone who can give a much significant competition for places.
Celtic have been keeping track of O’Shead for months so they might be impressed with what he can bring to the table. If the club goes on to sign him, then the fans shouldn’t expect him to hit the ground running straight away.
