Jacob Devaney says he wants first-team football, and Celtic should ask Manchester United what it would take to bring him back to Scotland.
His loan spell at St Mirren last season means Celtic would not be taking him straight from academy football. Devaney has already played regularly in the Scottish Premiership.
The 19-year-old made 13 league appearances, starting 12 and playing 988 minutes during the closing months of last season.
Devaney’s St Mirren numbers also show what he did with those minutes:
- 475 successful passes at 86.8%
- 35 accurate long balls at 62.5%
- 13 chances created and two big chances created
- 21 tackles, 10 interceptions and 64 recoveries
- Only eight times dribbled past
- Five successful dribbles from six attempts
The stats show a midfielder who was tidy on the ball, willing to play forward and will work hard without it. They do not make Devaney ready-made for Celtic, but they give O’Neill a genuine reason to ask the question.
Devaney has now confirmed that he is prepared to go out on loan again. Celtic should find out whether Manchester United are ready to let him.
Jacob Devaney has given Celtic a reason to call
Speaking about his immediate future at Man United, Devaney said: “I want to play first team football, whether that be at Man United for the next year or not.
“You know, the main aim and goal for me is to play for Man United week in week out. So, whether I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience like I’ve done at Saint Mirren, that’s what I’ll do, or whether that be in this building learning from the best, which is here at Man United. So we’ll see what happens.”
Devaney is prepared to leave Manchester United again to get regular football. His St Mirren spell has at least shown that he can compete in the top flight in Scotland.
The youngster is a defensive midfielder but has also played at centre-back and right-back. O’Neill could use him at the base of midfield and use him as defensive cover if needed.
Celtic must get more than Manchester United development
Celtic cannot hand over first-team opportunities simply to prepare Devaney for Old Trafford. O’Neill would need to believe he could challenge for minutes straight away.
St Mirren gave Devaney his first proper run in senior football. At Celtic, he would spend more time on the ball and face far less patience when he made a mistake.
He has already experienced Celtic Park and compared the approach to the stadium with Old Trafford. He knows what Parkhead feels like as an opposition player. Playing there for a team expected to win every week would be another test entirely.
Devaney is worth the call. Celtic should take him only if he is ready to help O’Neill, not because Manchester United need somewhere to send him.
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