Rangers 1-1 Braga reaction.
Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest in the Parkhead academy prospect.
As January looms, a highly-rated Celtic youngster has been linked with a move to the English Premier League.
Celtic now enter a new era as Martin O’Neill took charge of his last game on Thursday night, as Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy prepares to take the reins. It was a fitting end to the interim spell for the 73-year old, as they defeated Feyenoord at the De Kuip for their first away Europa League victory in four years.
As the club start a new chapter at the turn of the year, it could also be new beginnings for a Celtic academy prospect, who has attracted interested from the English Premier League, having already captained club and country at youth level.
Liverpool join race for Jikiemi
According to the Daily Record, Liverpool boss Arne Slot has his eye on Celtic youngster Dara Jikiemi as The Reds join Nottingham Forest in the race for the 15-year old’s signature. They say that the current Premier League champions are ‘pushing’ to get a deal done after he caught the eye of academy scouts.
The defender has already demonstrated leadership qualities, having captained the Scotland under-15 side. What also makes him an attractive option for the English giants is his versatility, given that he has featured at both centre back and defensive midfield for the young Hoops this season.
With Premier League clubs in the hunt, realistically, it will be hard for Celtic to hold on to Jikiemi, who would be eligible to sign professional forms at the end of the season. If he was to move south of the border, Celtic would only get training compensation for the years that he came through their youth system. He would also have to sign a scholarship deal before any formal contracts are drawn up.
A familiar pathway
An academy move from Celtic to Liverpool may trigger memories of Ben Gannon-Doak for Hoops fans, who made the switch from Glasgow to Merseyside in 2022. The 20-year old winger moved to Bournemouth in the summer for a fee of around £25m and recently helped Scotland qualify for their first World Cup since 1998, with an assist for Scott McTominay’s acrobatic effort against Denmark.
Rocco Vata has been another success story of the Celtic academy, as the Irishman has cemented himself in Watford’s starting XI. In an injury-burdened season, the 20-year old has four goal contributions to his name so far in the EFL Championship.
Other Hoops academy stars to take the plunge and move south of the border include Conall Glancy, Daniel Cummings, Aidan Borland and Rory Mahady, who went to Tottenham, West Ham, Aston Villa and Leeds respectively.
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