Celtic are interested in bringing out-of-contract defender Phil Jagielka to the club this summer, according to reports. The Sun say that the Hoops tried to land the former England defender in January and will make their move again this summer.
The 36-year-old has just ended a 12 year stay at Everton following the end of his contract. He featured just seven times for the Toffees last season after being a big part of the club in prior seasons.
Jagielka has been capped 40 times by England and would offer some much needed experience at the back.
Is he up to the job?
The defender would probably only be worth signing if he was seen as back-up. Jagielka hasn’t played more than 30 games in a season since 2015. The rigours of Celtic’s campaign would need him to play almost double that if he was first-choice.
He undoubtedly has vast experience in a career that has spanned 19 years but only included two clubs so far. Such experience could be crucial to the likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic who are still young.
However, his wages may be a stumbling block in the move. Celtic can’t afford to shell out the guts of £30,000 a week on a player who isn’t likely to have a major impact week in week out. If Jagielka was prepared to move for half of that then the move would make sense.
Otherwise, it just seems like another case of Marvin Compper.
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