A new challenge has emerged for Celtic’s academy staff, with Liverpool showing clear intent to lure highly-rated youngster Dara Jikiemi south of the border this summer.
RecordSport report that the English champions have placed the Scotland youth captain on their radar, and the interest is already well known inside Celtic Park.
Jikiemi has been one of the standout figures in the club’s academy this season, catching the eye with his versatility and maturity at youth level. Able to operate as a central defender or step into midfield, he has been tracked closely by Liverpool scouts for several months. Their academy staff are understood to be pushing for a move once the current campaign ends, with the player eligible to sign professional terms for the first time.
The concern for Celtic is a familiar one. Until Jikiemi pens a professional contract in Scotland, the club remain vulnerable.
A switch to England before that point would limit any compensation to training fees based on his years spent in the academy, rather than a genuine transfer value. It’s a situation the club have faced repeatedly in recent years, and one that remains difficult to prevent under current cross-border rules.
Nottingham Forest are also said to be monitoring the teenager, adding another element of pressure as Celtic attempt to secure his long-term future.
Premier League clubs have been increasingly aggressive in targeting Scottish prospects early, often offering financial packages and facilities that are tough for young players and their families to turn down. Celtic have worked hard to improve their pathway, but the pull of England’s top flight remains substantial.
This is not the first time Liverpool have looked to Glasgow’s east end for emerging talent. They previously signed Ben Gannon-Doak, who made a swift rise through their youth system before being sold to Bournemouth in the summer.
Other recent academy departures underline the scale of the challenge. Conall Glancy left for Tottenham, Daniel Cummings moved to West Ham, Aidan Borland joined Aston Villa and Rory Mahady headed for Leeds United. Each exit chipped away at the long-term potential within Celtic’s development squad.
The club have continued to stress the importance of retaining their brightest prospects, particularly with financial and squad-building pressures growing each season.
While selling established first-team players is part of the model, losing academy talent before they reach senior level provides little sporting or financial return. Jikiemi’s situation therefore lands at a delicate moment for Celtic, who are already trying to rebuild stability after a turbulent autumn.
Jikiemi’s ability has not gone unnoticed by coaches within the club, and Celtic are expected to push hard to secure his first professional deal. The player captaining Scotland at youth level only adds to the sense that he has the potential to progress quickly.
Keeping him in Glasgow long enough to see that development through will require convincing him that meaningful opportunities exist in the pathway ahead.
For now, Liverpool’s interest adds another complication to a growing trend. The challenge for Celtic is not simply identifying young talent but holding onto it long enough for it to impact the first team.
With Premier League clubs circling once again, the push to retain one of their most promising teenagers is gathering urgency.
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