Barry Ferguson surprised Celtic didn’t make ‘brilliant free transfer’ signing this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic’s transfer model is such that the club tries to buy young raw talent, develop them and sell for a big profit a few years down the line.

And it has been a tremendously successful one as Celtic has seen the likes of Matt O’Riley, Kieran Tierney and Jota all leave for big money over recent years.

But this season has seen a slight shift in that policy. Whilst Celtic are still buying young talent, the club has raised the bar in terms of how much they are paying as seen by the Hoops spending £11.5m on Arne Engels.

However, there were free agents out there Celtic could have looked at and Barry Ferguson is surprised at one Brendan Rodgers didn’t try and sign.

Celtic not signing Scotland international Scott McKenna surprised Ferguson

Scott McKenna was last linked to Celtic in January when he was in the last six months of his deal at Nottingham Forest and Ferguson reckons the Hoops should have signed him.

Ferguson told The Go Radio Football Show, “I like Scott McKenna, and I think during the summer, he was a brilliant free transfer. Yeah, a brilliant free transfer. I’m surprised Rangers are Celtic didn’t have a look at him.

“And I think he’s come on as a player, as he’s maturing, he’s getting better. He’s actually good with the ball at his feet as well.”

McKenna eventually decided to sign with Las Palmas and whether Celtic enquired about his services is still unknown.

What was previously said about Scott McKenna and Celtic

Celtic were told often enough over the summer that they should have looked at the 28-year-old Scottish international.

Simon Donnelly was a big advocate of Celtic signing McKenna and said that he would have been a ‘good one’ for his old club to sign.

Even Aberdeen legend Willie Miller urged Celtic to sign McKenna saying it would be a ‘great move’ for the Parkhead club.

Celtic, instead, decided to sign Auston Trusty who, even at £6m, looks like he could be a bargain for the club after his performances in the Champions League.

McKenna’s chance to join Celtic is probably long gone now but I don’t think that is something that the club or Brendan Rodgers will lose any sleep over.