Celtic have been linked with a move for Premier League free agent Jonny Evans, who left Leicester City at the end of his contract last month.
The Liverpool Echo reports that new manager Brendan Rodgers is ‘keen’ on signing the player, who he worked with at the Foxes and even made his club captain.
The defender’s name has been in the news this week after he was mentioned on an Everton training video and it became apparent he has been training with former club Manchester United to keep himself sharp over the summer months. [MEN]
Evans has a huge amount of experience having made 356 appearances in the English top-flight, and close to 50 more across the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
His most successful spell came at Old Trafford where he won seven major honours and four Community Shields, making dozens of appearances across three Premier League winning campaigns. He also started the final in the Rodgers team that won Leicester City’s first-ever FA Cup.
Clearly, the interest is speculative at the moment. There have been no follow-up reports from other outlets. It doesn’t seem close even if it’s in the offing.
However, if it does come off, it would be reminiscent of Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic and his decision to sign Kolo Toure into the heart of the Bhoys defence.
Toure was 35 at the time, just like Evans, and arrived with a huge amount of experience at the elite level. He made some early appearances for the Bhoys before retiring as a player – but he was a popular and important dressing room member.
It’s a trait that the Celtic boss obviously admires and perhaps he even sees Evans as a player who could make a transition into coaching over time. He assuredly values Evans as a leader.
Adding more quality to the defensive line would be welcome, especially as Cameron Carter-Vickers recovers from injury. Another experienced option in support of Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt is needed and this could be a pretty cost-effective solution.
In other news, Youngsters shine, Daizen press; Celtic goal highlights from 4-1 win over Portuguese side.
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