Celtic youngster Jonathan Afolabi is a reported target for a number of clubs in both the English Championship and Scottish Premiership – according to a report.
The Republic of Ireland youth international is yet to kick a ball for Neil Lennon’s first-team, although he has featured fairly regularly for the development team since his switch from Southampton in the summer.
Irish outlet Pundit Arena say they have been told, by sources close to the player, that Celtic have received interest from clubs in the English second-tier, most notably Birmingham City, as well as in Scotland.
They say that Afolabi is keen to get some first-team games under his belt in the second half of the season, although our lack of cover up front is likely to prevent a deal at this stage.
Forget Birmingham, Celtic should find a Scottish club for Afolabi
If Celtic have a direct choice between loaning Afolabi out to England or Scotland then they should choose the latter. The English Championship is probably of a higher standard to our Premiership overall, but the experience Afolabi would gain from playing for an Aberdeen or Hibernian would be invaluable as far as we’re concerned.
He’d learn just how physical the game is up here, as well as acquainting himself with some of the defenders he’ll hopefully come up against in a Celtic shirt.
Added to this, he could maybe score a goal or two to help take points off Rangers in this close title race. The latter comment is something we touched on on the site yesterday.
It would make sense to get Afolabi out this month and playing football. There’s no doubting that playing meaningful professional matches is a much better alternative to development football. Just look at the success we’ve had over Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Kristoffer Ajer over the past few years.
Afolabi could follow in their footsteps. But to do that he needs to get playing.
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