Recent Celtic arrival Andrew Gutman has joined USL Championship side Charlotte Independence on loan for a season.
The left-back joined the Hoops on the last day of the January transfer window, but the intention was always to send him out on loan.
The player has completed the move, and revealed that it was a Celtic connection which helped him decide to join. Charlotte Independence’s manager is Jim McGuinness, who previously worked at Celtic Park.
“There is a good connection between Jim the head coach here—he is a former Celtic coach,” Gutman disclosed to the Charlotte Post.
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“I decided this was the best way to get better and develop more and hopefully get back to Celtic.”
It will take time before we find out if Gutman has what it takes to make it at Celtic Park. The standard of football in the USL Championship will likely be poorer than it is in Scotland.
The signing of Gutman and fellow American Manny Perez have to seen as projects. At the moment Celtic won’t be expecting big things from the duo. However, that might change in the future.
Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be watching on with interest to see how Gutman fares with his new club. When he comes to Celtic in a year’s time he could well be a more complete football player.
Will this help Gutman break into the Celtic team? Only time will tell. But the player seems eager to succeed in Charlotte.