Celtic alerted to Aribim Pepple’s release clause as Tom Cleverley speaks out

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic are in the race to sign Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple from Plymouth.

The duo, both strikers, are attracting interest from Europe and beyond. Despite not having a permanent manager, Celtic are reportedly the current frontrunners.

Of the six players signed by Martin O’Neill’s side in the winter, just one was permanent, and that was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a short-term deal.

And if Celtic want to take either of the Plymouth duo, they’ll have to fork out.

Should Celtic take more risks on lower league players?

Gary Hooper was a success after all…

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley on Celtic-linked Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple

Asked about the recent reports, Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley said that Pepple has a release clause in his contract, but Tolaj doesn’t.

He said: “For as long as they are Argyle players and they are playing with that badge on their chest, they are giving everything for this club.

READ MORE: Jens Berthel Askou admits he can’t avoid Celtic speculation with noise getting louder

“They love playing for this club. It’s rightly so they should be recognised for what they are doing, and at this level your players will always be linked with clubs in higher leagues or different European leagues.

“They have both got good mentalities to have tunnel vision. They know their job.

“They have got high ambitions both individually and collectively at this football club, and neither of them have got any appetite to leave the football club.

“Their work every day shows that they are fully invested. That’s all the players.

“Yes, they are two of the ones that are really shining at the minute, and that’s usual with the goalscorers to get more of the press.

“They are all showing really good application at the minute and I’m delighted for them.”

Celtic have activated the release clause of a League One player before with Matt O’Riley… that didn’t work out too badly.

According to Plymouth Live, the League One side are looking to make a ‘substantial’ return on Tolaj, who was on a long-term contract.

Tolaj is one of the form players in the division, whilst Pepple is more of a prospect, though also enjoying the best season of his career so far.

Celtic targets Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple

Born in England and raised in Canada, Pepple joined Plymouth from Luton for £650,000 ahead of this season.

Previously of Inverness, Southend and Chesterfield, he has scored nine goals this season.

But Tolaj is the main man at Home Park, racking up 14 goals in the league this season. Picked up by talent-spotting Brighton as a teenager, he had a loan spell at Dundee in 2023.

He has worked his way up the divisions in recent years, scoring goals for Aldershot in the National League before earning his Plymouth move with a stellar season at Port Vale in League Two.