According to the latest reports from the Scotsman, Celtic have offered highly talented Linfield youngster Charlie Allen a chance to train at the club. The Hoops are said to be willing to offer him a deal. Tottenham Hotspur are also considered as one of the prime contenders to land the 15-year-old as they too had offered him a trial not too long ago. Now Celtic are trying to steal a march over the English heavyweights.
More English clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Leeds and Leicester were said to be monitoring the youngster’s progress. At just 15, he has made his debut for Linfield and is a u-17 Northern Ireland international.
Where can the Allen play and what can he offer?
Allen is a striker who can also play as an attacking midfielder. The Linfield manager was even considering drafting the youngster in the Champions League qualifiers which they lost to Rosenborg recently. Nevertheless, the fact that he is knocking on the door of first-team football at 15 suggests that he is a top talent. Moreover, the clubs chasing for his signature is also a testament to the striker’s ability.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern recently said that Allen could go across the border and have his pick of clubs. Allen is known to be a smart finisher and a live wire in and around the box.
He is also seen as someone who has a terrific work rate, which makes him a well rounded forward. There is still a long way to go before he can establish himself as a household name in the football circuit, but he has the potential to achieve that if he keeps working hard.
Can Celtic lure him?
With the kind of clubs circling him, one could feel that Celtic might not be able to bring in the young talent. However, there is no doubt that Allen is likely to get chances in the first-team much sooner at Parkhead. Last season, Lennon showed that he is willing to give top talents a chance as Karamoko Dembele made his debut at 16. Celtic also have a rich history of inducting youth players into the first team, so the Bhoys have that going their way in terms of luring the player.
The youngster will likely have to bide his time in the youth and reserve squad before he gets a look into the first team. He is already an integral member of Northern Ireland’s u-17 side and is a top prospect for the future.
