Report: Celtic have rejected several offers from Leeds United for Matthew Anderson

By David Walton

August 19, 2021

Celtic have turned down multiple attempts from Leeds United to sign young left-back Matthew Anderson this summer, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Last week it was reported by the same outlet that Leeds had made a breakthrough in their bid to sign Leo Hjelde from Parkhead. However, they’ve also reportedly been chasing Celtic under-18s talent Anderson too.

The young full-back, aged only 17, has been working away under Darren O’Dea in the youth ranks in recent times. Yet to be called up to the senior ranks, Anderson very much appears to be one for the future at Parkhead.

He only signed his first professional contract for the club back in January 2020, when he moved from Blantyre Soccer Academy. After signing, he was tipped by Blantyre coach Jimmy Whelan to “be like Kieran Tierney” [Daily Record].

And it appears Leeds have been persistent in trying to lure him to Elland Road along with Hjelde. Thankfully, however, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Celtic have held firm and have managed to keep their young talent in Glasgow.

Celtic reportedly turn away Leeds United in promising move

Finally, we can bask in the glory of actually holding onto one of our promising youngsters. At 17, we would hope to hear more of Anderson in the coming years.

Considering Ange Postecoglou loves to invest his trust in capable youth players, staying at Celtic could reap rewards for the Scottish youngster.

We’ve lost far too many top players from the academy in recent times. You can rhyme them off by now. Liam Morrison, Barry Hepburn, Cameron Harper, Armstrong Okoflex. All of those just off the top of the head. We’ve developed talents and allowed them to depart before playing in the first team.

That’s what makes Celtic’s stance here so promising. With a bit of luck, we’re now in the process of taking better care of our youth academy. Ensuring that our best talents don’t become disillusioned with life in Glasgow.

There’s a reason we’ve lost so many assets. We need our youngsters to become more engaged with life at Celtic again. Hopefully, Postecoglou will be the man to bring that enthusiasm back to Lennoxtown.

And it’s good to see Celtic refusing to cave in either. The more we bolster our academy with talent, the better chance we have of seeing breakthrough stars.

In other news, Joe Hart has solved a positional and leadership problem at Celtic