Celtic’s move for Tyler Fredricson has been scuppered by an injury to the Manchester United defender.
It’s no secret that Martin O’Neill is in the market for a defender on Deadline Day, as Stephen Welsh awaits the green light to return to Motherwell.
A long-term injury to Cameron Carter-Vickers left the Hoops short at the back, causing the decision to recall Welsh. However, there could still be movement.
O’Neill has been clear that some more additions to the team’s defensive options would allow Welsh to return, but time is running out for those deals to be made.
And one player that won’t be coming is Fredricson, who has suffered rotten luck with the timing of an injury.
Grade how successful you think Celtic’s transfer window has been
Tomas Cvancara of Celtic battles for the ball with a Hearts player
Credit: Getty Images/Malcolm Mackenzie
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Why Tyler Fredricson won’t be joining Celtic
According to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, Celtic had been ‘in touch’ with Fredricson. It’s unclear if this move would have been on loan or permanent.
The report also says that the player had interest from Aberdeen and Huddersfield Town.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
READ MORE: The biggest hint Arne Engels won’t leave Celtic, as Nottingham Forest’s next move revealed
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
However, an ill-timed injury means that Fredricson will remain at Man Utd, where he has been since the age of 13.
Manchester-born Fredricson has made four senior appearances for the Red Devils, last appearing in their clash with Newcastle on Boxing Day.
The team’s switch from a 3-4-3 under Ruben Amorim to a 4-2-3-1 under Michael Carrick has understandably reduced the amount of cover needed at centre-back.
United’s Reserve Player of the Year last season, Fredricson is also an English under-18 international, but has never spent any time out on loan at senior level.
This undoubtedly raises questions over whether he is ready to step in as an upgrade on Welsh and Dane Murray in Celtic’s defensive ranks.
But there’s no need to worry about that at this stage, with his injury ruling out a move to Glasgow.
Aurele Amenda and Jamie Lawrence are among the other centre-halves to have been linked with Celtic this winter.
How many Celtic signings are you expecting on Deadline Day?
Celtic FC Head Coach Martin O'Neill looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Celtic’s incoming January transfers
Two players are having medicals at the Hoops today, as O’Neill adds some much-needed depth to his attacking options.
Freiburg’s Junior Adamu is set to join Celtic on loan. Austrian striker Adamu is looking to rediscover the form that he showed in the Champions League during his Red Bull Salzburg days.
Joel Mvoku, on the other hand, looks set to become O’Neill’s first (and, potentially, only) permanent signing of O’Neill’s interim reign.
The 23-year-old winger has spent three years at FC Lorient, struggling to nail down a starting space in their side and also spending time on loan at Young Boys.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox