Report suggests it's very unlikely that Forest Green will sign Celtic's Jack Aitchison permanently

By David Walton

March 3, 2020

Local outlet Gloucestershire Live has stated that it’s “very unlikely” that Forest Green Rovers manage to sign Celtic striker Jack Aitchison in the summer.

Aitchison has been on loan with the League Two club since the summer, and it’s certainly been a valuable learning experience. The striker has played 31 times for Forest Green in total this season, bagging seven goals and securing five assists (Transfermarkt).

It’s the highest amount of first-team football that the Scotland youth international has managed in a single season. His performances have helped take Forest Green up to 11th in League Two as well.

Celtic’s Jack Aitchison, on loan at Forest Green Rovers (Lukasz Sobala/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

However, Gloucester Live have said the following in a piece describing players out of contract in the summer:

“Aitchison has quickly made himself one of the fans’ favourites since signing from Celtic on loan, but a permanent deal for the attacker looks very unlikely.”

A loan deal at a higher level seems logical

There’s still plenty of time for Aitchison to make it at Celtic. He’s still only 19 years of age. So, in a way, this year should be a learning experience more than anything.

Gloucestershire Live didn’t go into why a permanent deal would be unlikely. However, it has to be down to the fact that Celtic don’t particularly want to let him go.

But there would be no point sending him back to Forest Green unless they were to get promoted. As things stand, they’re 12 points behind the promotion spots having played a game fewer. Should they win it, that would take them to within nine of Northampton Town.

Celtic’s Jack Aitchison (Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

However, it would be a brave person who bets on Forest Green winning all 11 of their games between now and the end of the campaign.

It would be extremely interesting to see how Aitchison performed at League One level after clearly impressing in England’s fourth-tier. If he was to come back to Parkhead in the summer of 2021 having had both League Two and League One experience under his belt, he’ll be all the better for it.

Of course, his Celtic deal expires in the summer of 2021 too. A new contract will have to be agreed in the near future if there is any long-term plan on here with the striker.

What would you do with Aitchison when he comes back? Would you send him back out on loan to another League Two side? Or is it time for him to jump up a level? Perhaps you would give him a new contract – let us know in the discussion forum below.