The new addition has featured for the Scotland National Team at youth level
Celtic have fended off competition from Arsenal to sign Dundee’s ‘talented’ goalkeeping prospect Warren Lyall.
The 16-year old has agreed his first ever professional contract with the Hoops despite heading to North London in February for a trial with the Gunners. In the same week where they lost homegrown defender Luke Graham to Stoke City, Dundee were hoping to hold onto their academy graduate, but Celtic’s financial power has proved too strong.
Along with Lyall, the Hoops have also completed the signing of 16-year old Cliftonville centre back Shea McGarry. The pair will now join up with the club’s B team under the guidance of Jonny Hayes, Stevie Hammell and goalkeeping coach Colin Meldrum.
Warren Lyall had a training stint with Arsenal in February.placeholder image
Warren Lyall had a training stint with Arsenal in February. | AFP via Getty Images
Celtic fend off Premier League interest for Lyall
According to the Daily Record: “Celtic have beaten off major English competition to sign Warren Lyall from Dundee. The Scotland youth keeper has signed his first pro-contract with the Hoops. The Dark Blues are due compensation after losing their talented academy graduate. Lyall had a number of summer options having been on Arsenal’s radar.”
Lyall was part of the Dundee side that reached the Scottish Youth Cup final in 2024, where they lost out to Kilmarnock 2-0. More recently, he featured for the Dark Blues’ Under-20 side in a Challenge Cup tie with Elgin last November.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is also looking at bringing in a goalkeeper for the first team to challenge current number one Viljami Sinisalo for his place in the side. 27-year old Las Palmas stopper Dinko Horkas is the latest name to be linked with a Hoops switch.
Shea McGarry has featured for the Cliftonville first team.placeholder image
Shea McGarry has featured for the Cliftonville first team. | Getty Images
Cliftonville coach ‘delighted’ for McGarry
The Northern Ireland youth international had reportedly attracted interest from the EFL Championship before Celtic snapped him up and already has experience playing for the Cliftonville first team. Assistant coach Gerard Lyttle told Hoops fans what they can expect from the youngster. He said via the Belfast Telegraph: “We are all delighted that he has signed for Celtic. It’s a great environment he’s going into and it will be a fantastic education for him.
“I think he has a massive future in the game. On top of ability, he has a bit of character. He handles situations around senior players well. He is respectful and has a great personality. Shea was outstanding when he made his debut, he was probably the best player on the pitch that day. He’s a big centre back with a lovely wand of a left foot. He reads lines, steps into the play and has been well-educated from his time in the academy.”
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