Partick Thistle are in talks with a Celtic duo, it is being reported.
In the final week of the transfer window, the focus is certainly on incomings for Martin O’Neill and the Hoops support.
But we have also seen a few departures, in the shape of Hayato Inamura and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey; players who simply weren’t getting a look-in for the first team.
Celtic also have a good number of young prospects out on loan this season, mostly in Scotland’s second tier.
And two of those players, having excelled so far this season, are now edging closer to a permanent move.
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Celtic duo in talks to join Partick Thistle permanently
Ben McPherson and Josh Clarke are both in talks over a permanent move to Thistle, according to the Daily Record.
Right-back McPherson has been a fixture for the Maryhill side, whilst Clarke has displaced ex-Rangers keeper Lewis Budinauckas as their number-one.
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Thistle are, of course, managed by ex-Celtic defender Mark Wilson in his third managerial role – his first professional hotseat role.
McPherson and Clarke were ineligible to face Brendan Rodgers’ Celts when the sides met at Firhill in the Premier Sports Cup this season.
Wilson is one of three ex-Celtic men managing in the Championship. His side are second in the league table behind leaders St Johnstone.
Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline are in fourth. The ex-Hoops boss knocked his former side Hibernian out of the Scottish Cup ten days ago.
Scott Brown is in fifth with Ayr, with Celtic duo Kyle Ure, Jude Bonnar and Ben Summers on loan at Somerset Park.
As for Clarke and McPherson, neither has ever played a first-team minute for Celtic.
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Mark Wilson on Celtic loan men
Sean McArdle was recalled by Celtic in January, having also been on loan at Thistle for the first half of the season.
Speaking to the Partick Thistle website, Wilson praised McArdle upon his signing, as well as the duo of McPherson and Clarke.
He said: “We’ve already had Josh Clarke and Ben McPherson come in on loan from Celtic and make a real impact and I’m confident Sean can do similar.”
Unlike the other duo, McArdle has had first team action for Celtic – he was on the bench in Bologna for O’Neill’s side last week.
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