Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will have designs on strengthening his squad this summer following a rollercoaster campaign back at Parkhead.
Firstly, the Irishman will prioritise addressing the internal situations of Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo’s long-term future.
The former has no option to buy present in his loan agreement with Norwich City; meanwhile, Portugal Under-21 midfielder Bernardo has a permanent option that sits at the £6.4 million mark.
Of course, Celtic will also need to fulfil their quest to replace the retiring Joe Hart; however, it still isn’t clear who could step into his shoes as the new number one stopper at Parkhead.
Queens Park Rangers veteran Asmir Begovic, Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tom Glover have all been mentioned in dispatches, with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Trabzonspor’s last-line Ugurcan Cakir coming in at the more ambitious end of the scale.
Yesterday, Celtic also found out they may need to pay a fee in the region of £5-7 million for QPR central defender Jake Clarke-Salter.
Former England Under-21 international Clarke-Salter has also attracted interest from Premier League trio Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley alongside Sky Bet Championship outfit Stoke City.
Undoubtedly, the summer transfer window will be a highly competitive few months; nevertheless, Celtic could be in an ideal position to strengthen if they gain automatic Champions League entry by winning the Scottish Premiership title.
Celtic have been ‘alerted’ to the progress of Scottish starlet
According to The Daily Record, Celtic have been ‘alerted’ to the progress and form of Queens Park prospect Aiden McGinlay, who has become a key player for the Spiders at Under-18 and B Team level.
The outlet claims newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town are also keen on the 17-year-old. They previously had the starlet on trial at Portman Road before he completed his move to Queens Park.
Sky Bet Championship outfit Norwich have also expressed interest in the midfielder, who could be available for a modest training compensation fee.
Capped at Under-17 level by Scotland, McGinlay was previously on the books at his current employers’ Glasgow rivals Partick Thistle, though he could now be in the frame for a potential life-changing switch this summer.
Feasibly, in the scenario McGinlay was to join Celtic, he would enter at Under-18 or B Team level to continue his development at Lennoxtown.
Either way, his name appears to be one to keep an eye on as the Bhoys make advances to prop up their academy system with further talent.