Confirmed: Celtic-linked Troy Deeney signs for Birmingham City

By David Walton

August 31, 2021

Reported Celtic target Troy Deeney has officially completed his move to Birmingham City.

The English Championship club confirmed the move last night after the striker signed from Watford. The move sees the former EPL club captain join his boyhood heroes.

However, it came after a report from the Sunday Mirror last weekend that stated the Hoops were willing to offer him a move up to Scotland [print edition, 29/08, page 66].

Celtic had previously had Deeney on their radar before this summer too. Former manager Neil Lennon stated on the radio a couple of months ago that he was eyeing him up for a move back when he was in charge during his first spell.

But the player has made his decision. It’s unclear as to whether there was ever an offer on the table from the Hoops. Especially with the club said to be closing in on the transfer of VVV-Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis [Sky Sports].

Celtic won’t be signing Troy Deeney after Birmingham City move

There’s no denying that Deeney would score goals in Scotland. The powerful centre-forward leaves the London club having scored 140 goals in 419 appearances. That includes 47 at English Premier League level and 84 in the Championship [Transfermarkt].

He would’ve been an attractive signing for the Hoops. Especially when you consider the experience he would’ve brought to the frontline.

Deeney wouldn’t have been a long-term solution for Celtic at 33 years of age. But he clearly still has the attributes that would’ve seen him thrive in the Scottish Premiership.

Granted, this is hardly a deadline day disaster. A move for the player always seemed speculative. If Celtic bring Giakoumakis on board, we’ll have the centre-forward option we’ve been looking for.

But for now, it doesn’t look as though we’ll ever see Deeney in a Celtic shirt. Given his age, this looks like it was the final opportunity for us to make a move.

All the best to him, but it’s one to cross off on the deadline-day shortlist.

In other news, West Ham source believes Celtic could sign Harrison Ashby on loan