Barry Douglas, linked with Celtic in 2020, now available for free

By David Walton

May 10, 2021

Celtic-linked 2020 target Barry Douglas could be snapped up for nothing this summer by interested parties.

The Scottish left-back, currently with Leeds in the English Premier League, was said to be “high up” on Celtic’s transfer priority list last year according to Sky Sports. In the end, however, Celtic moved for Laxalt whilst Douglas went on loan to Championship side Blackburn.

It’s been a productive campaign for the former Dundee United man too. He’s banked himself 32 appearances with Rovers this term and was a constant in their starting line-up up until the final few games [Transfermarkt].

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa stated back in October that he was “sad” to have to allow Douglas to leave on loan [Yorkshire Evening Post]. However, there are no signs of an extended contract after Douglas confirmed his time at Rovers had ended.

Now, he’s available to talk to clubs on a pre-contract deal. And with Celtic currently in the market for a new left-back, this could be an ideal first summer signing.

Celtic-linked Barry Douglas has plenty of positive attributes

First off, it’s important to acknowledged that there have been no reports of Celtic following up their interest from last season. We still need to announce a new manager, and he may have his own plans for the position.

What can’t be denied, however, is that we need a replacement for Laxalt. Celtic are going to have to spend plenty money this summer for the rebuild. Therefore, if they can bag an experienced and dependable left-back for nothing, it’s surely something worth investigating.

Douglas would come to Celtic jam-packed full of experience. He’s played in four different countries and has European experience to his name also. Given the consistent campaign he’s had in Blackburn, he also doesn’t appear to be much of an injury risk. That’s not something we’ve been able to say about our left-backs in recent years.

Former Celtic transfer target Barry Douglas is a free agent this summer – Pool/Getty Images)

Of course, some may feel that we need to have a proper top-class left-back in place for the summer. That there can be no room to simply look for freebies and risk a poor quality of player coming into the club.

But that’s where Douglas would be an exception. He’s anything but poor, and is an overlapping full-back who loves to get forward and get balls into the penalty area. He could provide a real danger down the left and from set-piece deliveries.

It’s something worth looking at for the new Celtic manager. We’re going to be spending plenty of money this summer, and here’s an opportunity to potentially strengthen a position for next to nothing.

In other news, Celtic shouldn’t obsess over Rangers’ transfer moves, it makes absolutely no difference to us.