According to the latest reports from the Sun, Celtic are set to rival Rangers for the signature of Portsmouth’s centre back Jack Whatmough. The defender has been a mainstay of the Pompey defence as they top the table in the League One. A promotion to the Championship is very much on the cards, but the defender is in the last six month of his contract. Therefore, the Hoops definitely have a chance to lure him away.
Aberdeen is also said to be interested, but the race is likely to come down between two of the Glaswegian giants. The defender is open to pre-contract talks; therefore, the Bhoys can look to secure his signature this month. The defender then can join them at the end of the current season.
Celtic’s defence looked shaky at the start of the season but ever since Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic formed a partnership together, they have looked formidable and they currently have the best defensive record in the league.
There was a moment of worry for Rodgers as Leicester City did have the option to recall Benkovic from loan this month, but Claude Puel gave a green light and indicated that the Croatian would be better suited to continue his loan stint at Park Head.
Dedryck Boyata also has the chance of moving away from the club as he is in the last year of his contract, but it seems like Rodgers is set to keep him until the end of the season. With Kristoffer Ajer, Jack Hendry and Jozo Simunovic as other options, Rodgers is well covered in defence. (Hendry though is linked with a loan move to Sunderland as per Daily Mail). However, in the long run, the manager is likely to lose both Boyata and Benkovic at the end of the season. Therefore easing some burden off the summer window now would be a good piece of business from Rodgers.
Whatmough has been a mainstay of his side’s defence this season, and the 22-year-old has made 25 appearances in all competitions. He has played a significant part in his side’s strong performances at the back and on paper, this looks like a decent deal for the Hoops.
Apart from his decent defensive qualities, Whatmough shows good composure on the ball and that is one of the reasons why he can even turn out as a defensive midfielder when required. Therefore Rodgers is going to get a whole package in this former u-19 England international, and this looks like a good bet to us if the defender manages to get used to the physicality of the league.
