Jonathan Afolabi had “a lot of offers” according to Stephen Kenny

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Recent Celtic recruit Jonathan Afolabi had “a lot of offers” in the summer according to his national team boss Stephen Kenny.

Ireland under-21s manager Kenny, who is due to succeed Mick McCarthy as the full-side’s boss, says that Afolabi’s form for his country helped pave a move to Glasgow.

“Jonathan Afolabi had a very good U19s European Championships and had been out of contract,” Kenny told Irish outlet The 42.

“But he ended up with a lot of offers that he may not have had if he wasn’t involved with the international team, so he ended up signing for Celtic.”

Kenny rates Afolabi, but will we see him in a Celtic shirt soon?

The Irishman may be injured at this present moment but he must also be eyeing up the chance of a Celtic appearance before the end of the year.

Afolabi will have looked on jealously as Jeremie Frimpong, one year his junior, got a shot in a recent cup tie. The Irishman will also have been eyeing up Celtic’s current striking situation and feeling that he has something to offer.

Odsonne Edouard is undoubtedly our leading forward but the competition behind him is up in the air. We’re still not quite sure what to think of the raw Vakoun Issouf Bayo while Leigh Griffiths hasn’t been seen in a Celtic shirt for well over a month.

If Afolabi fancies a shot in the first-team before the year is out then now may be his time. He certainly has potential. If he can handle the step up to senior football then he should do just fine.