Recently reports from the Scottish Sun emerged that Celtic are interested in signing veteran English defender Phil Jagielka in the summer. Neil Lennon was said to be keen on adding an experienced defender to his squad, and he wanted Jagielka to come in. The Everton man’s contract with the Merseyside outfit came to an end after more than a decade of service. However, Celtic could miss out (The Express) on Jagielka as newly promoted Sheffield United are said to be interested as well.
The former England international had come up from Sheffield United’s academy and was at the club from 1998 to 2007. Therefore this would be like a homecoming for Jagielka, and in that case, Celtic are likely to lose out on him.
Moreover, now with United moving to the Premier League as well, this is just about the perfect time for them to get their former academy product back.
Why does Celtic need to add a centre back?
All this development must be a blow to Celtic as Lennon was keen to sign him on a free transfer. The Hoops have already lost the services of Dedryck Boyata who went on to join Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin for free. The Belgian was a big part of the Celtic side over the years, and he would be missed big time even though his relationship with the fans strained in the past year.
Croatian centre back Filip Benkovic is also going to return to Leicester City as his loan spell has come to an end. However, Brendan Rodgers has indicated that he could once again send the big centre half on loan to Parkhead. But that is still uncertain, and there is no doubt that the Hoops need to add a defender or two in the summer transfer market.
What would Jagielka bring to Lennon’s team and why he is a miss?
The Celtic side have some inexperienced defenders in the form of Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry. Jagielka would have added the much-needed experience and calm head at the back. At 36, he might not have played every week, but he would have made an impact on and off the pitch for the Hoops.
The fact that a Premier League club still wants him shows that he could have been a decent signing for Celtic. Jagielka played seven games last season in the Premier League, but he showed that he is still competent as he put on a MOTM performance against Arsenal in April when all the first choice defenders were out injured. Some might think that he would have been a waste of a signing given his age, but he still seems to have a few years left in him.
