David Martindale makes a bizarre ‘really honest’ transfer claim about Celtic

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When Livingston got relegated from the Scottish Premiership, the Celtic fans would have been delighted to see the back of the club.

Not through any kind of malice directed to the West Lothian side but mainly because the artificial pitch was deeply unpopular with the Hoops support.

Livingston also used to be a bit of a bogey ground for Celtic the season before Ange Postecoglou came to the club.

From season 2018/19 to 2021, Celtic only beat Livingston three times in nine attempts as David Martindale’s side used to up their game against the Hoops. [Transfermarkt]

Now in the Scottish Championship, Martindale is plotting his plan to get them back into the SPFL top-flight but he will have to do it without one of his best players.

Martindale: James Penrice could play for Celtic

Former Livingston midfielder, James Penrice, sealed a move to Hearts this week and Martindale believes he is so good he could play for Celtic.

Martindale said [Hearts Standard], “He’s worked really, really hard at the defensive side of his game.

“For me, I genuinely think Hearts have won a watch with him. This is me being really, really honest and people will maybe laugh at this but I can see James playing for Rangers, I can see James playing for Celtic.

“That’s how highly I rate him. He can look after the ball. Hearts are a top-three club so he wouldn’t look out of place playing for anyone in the top three in my opinion.”

At 25, Penrice has done well to seal a move to one of the biggest clubs in Scotland but to suggest he could play for Celtic is just bizarre.

The left-back has no experience at international level at any stage of his career and he was part of a Livingston defence that shipped 59 goals last season.

And according to Fotmob, Penrice wasn’t even the best player at Livingston last season.

Celtic currently have Greg Taylor in that position and he is a far better option than the new Hearts arrival. Brendan Rodgers will be looking for someone to push Taylor or even take his place in the Celtic team next season and, with the greatest of respect, Penrice is not that man.

With a new Champions League campaign approaching Rodgers is looking for players who can compete at that level and unfortunately for Penrice, he is not at that level.