Celtic are in action again in Scottish Premiership once again this evening as they prepare to travel from Glasgow to face Dundee.
The Hoops can move 18 points clear at the top of the table if they manage to secure all three points, before their division rivals get into action on Wednesday.
Brendan RodgersThe team are gunning for their fourth successive title and second in a row under the Northern Irish head coach, who returns to the club in the summer of 2023.
The Scottish giants go into this game on the back of a 4-1 defeat of Ross County this weekend, thanks to a goal from Kyoga Furuhashi and stoppage time goals from Arne Engels and Luke McCowan.
While Rodgers will focus on league games and keeping a healthy gap between himself and Rangers, the Celtic boss will also keep one eye on the January transfer window.
The former Liverpool manager is in the market to add more quality to his squad, particularly in attacking areas of the pitch, and is reportedly eyeing the England striker.
Celtic look to the English forward
According to Football InsiderRodgers is readying Celtic’s bid to sign Aston Villa striker Louie Barry from the Premier League in the January transfer window.
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The report claims the Scottish giants are interested in a deal to bring the 21-year-old to Parkhead and are interested in a permanent deal rather than a loan deal.
Middlesbrough and Leeds United, of the English Championship, are also said to be keen on snapping up the Villans youngster but are in the market to sign him on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Football Insider adds that Celtic are considering an offer to sign him permanently as they look to strengthen their upper-field options long-term, although there was no mention of how much they would be willing to pay for his services.
Previous reports have suggested this it could cost around £12.5 millioncompensation that would overshadow club record £11m to sign Arne Engels.
The report reveals the Hoops want Barry as they look for a new left winger to come in, with Luis Palma on the brink of a Parkhead exit this week.
Luis Palma’s Celtic form this season
Football Insider claims the Honduras international is set to sign for Spain’s Rayo Vallecano on an initial loan deal, meaning Celtic would be the light man on the left side of attack.
It is no surprise to see the club allow the former Aris star to leave the Paradise this month, however, as it has been a difficult season for the winger, with a lack of Premiership minutes.
After returning from seven goals and nine assists in 28 games in the 2023/24 season, Palma failed to progress and become a regular starter for the Hoops this term.
|
24/25 Premiership |
Luis Palma |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7 |
|
It starts |
1 |
|
Objectives |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Great chances were created |
1 |
As you can see in the table above, he started just one of his seven Premiership appearances and did not contribute a single goal or assist for the team.
So it makes sense for Celtic and Rodgers to send him to Rayo Vallecano on loan for the second half of the season, so that he can play regular football and the club can bring in a suitable replacement.
The Premiership champions could now perfectly replace Palma by securing a permanent deal for Barry, who could come in as Gary Hooper 2.0, as another right-wing striker who plays on the left wing.
Why Celtic should sign Louie Barry
The Scottish giants have had success signing players who have progressed through the English lower leagues in the past – they signed Matt O’Riley from League One side MK Dons – and one of the most notable examples was Hooper.
In the summer of 2010, Celtic decided to sign the English striker from Scunthorpe United after plundering 50 goals in 95 performs in all competitions.
The center forward then scored 82 goals in 138 games for the Hoops in all competitions before moving to Premier League side Norwich City in the summer of 2014.
Celtic could repeat the feat by signing another impressive goalscorer from the lower leagues in England, although Barry has only been on loan in League One from Premier League side Aston Villa.
The 21-year-old starlet, described as “great talent” expert Carlton Palmer, spent the first half of this season on loan at Stockport County in the third division of English football and caught the eye with his fantastic performances.
He produced nine goals and four assists at 17, he started in League Two last season, while on loan from Villa, and successfully made the step up to League One.
|
24/25 First League |
Louie Barry |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
23 |
|
Objectives |
15 |
|
Big chances were missed |
6 |
|
Great chances were created |
5 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Completed dribbles per game |
2.3 |
As you can see in the table above, Barry provided a constant threat upfield with his ability to score goals and create ‘big chances’ for his teammates from the left wing position.
He is also a direct and exciting player, as shown by his dribbles per game, which suggests he could create chances for himself by taking on opposition defenders in the final third.
These stats suggest there is potential for him to offer a huge threat for the Hoops and follow in Hooper’s footsteps, as another English youngster to come to Scotland and thrive after impressing in England’s lower leagues.
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They also show that he could perfectly replace Palma providing goals and assists from the flank, something the Rayo Vallecano target has failed to do this season.
