Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will likely be prioritising new additions at Parkhead as the transfer market reopens next month, although the 57-year-old could also have potential outgoings on the agenda, with both Giorgos Giakoumakis and Josip Juranovic having been linked with an exit of late.
Another Hoops player could well join that pair in possibly moving on from Glasgow in January, with recent reports having claimed that defender Stephen Welsh is attracting interest from clubs across Europe.
The suggestion is that the centre-back’s lack of game-time has raised hopes among potential suitors that a deal can be agreed, with the 22-year-old having been restricted to just four appearances in the Premiership – and six in all competitions – so far this term.
While it may appear something of a shame to move on one of the few players to have emerged from the Celtic academy into the first team in recent times, Postecoglou could well fill the void by promoting another in-house starlet in the form of Bosun Lawal.
The 19-year-old defender – who can also feature in midfield – was named on the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen, with the teenager having only recently been part of the travelling party for the Sydney Super Cup voyage.
The former Watford gem – who arrived in Scotland in the summer of 2021 – was also among a handful of youngsters to have been named as part of the Hoops’ first-team squad for the pre-season trip to Austria, having clearly caught the attention of Postecoglou as a result of his performances in the youth ranks.
Lauded as a “real find” for the Scottish champions by Tommy McIntyre, the youngster has been a truly commanding presence for Celtic’s B team of late, scoring three goals in 11 outings in the Lowland League this season and netting twice in two Challenge Cup appearances.
That standout form has seen the emerging prospect – and fellow starlet Tobi Oluwayemi – described as “immense” by team-mate Ben Summers, with all the signs pointing to a player who could well have a big future at first-team level.
The “strong and powerful” asset – as described by former Hornets U23 coach Omer Riza – has also earned notable praise from Troy Deeney in the recent past, with the former Vicarage Road talisman stating: “I think there’s not many young players that catch your eye and you think ‘he’s going to have a career’, but he certainly does that.”
Such a glowing assessment is a marker of the Republic of Ireland youth international’s undoubted talent, with the rumoured exit of Welsh from Celtic potentially set to allow the up-and-coming 19-year-old the chance to secure a more prominent role in Postecoglou’s side.
