Celtic are still looking for cover for Kieran Tierney.
Brendan Rodgers appears resigned to losing Greg Taylor to PAOK despite the move to the Greek club reportedly ‘freezing’.
The return of Kieran Tierney to Celtic has already given Rodgers the replacement for Taylor and as 67 Hail Hail exclusively revealed yesterday, Josh Doig has caught the eye of the Celtic manager as Rodgers continues the hunt for a back-up left-back.
But it appears Rodgers has looked a bit closer to home to find that player and has scouted a 2025 PFA Team of the Year inductee.
Celtic have ‘scouted’ Hearts star James Penrice
James Penrice appears to have caught the eye of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Daily Record states that ‘Celtic have also scouted Hearts’ James Penrice, but won’t necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.’
Penrice was a highly-rated youngster in his Partick Thistle youth days and enjoyed a couple of loan spells at Est Fife and Livingston before joining David Martindale’s side permanently in 2021.
A season helping the Almondvale club winn League One and then gaining promotion to the Scottish Premiership inspired his move to Hearts last season.
After having a good year at Tynecastle despite Hearts’ struggles, Penrice was voted into the Scottish PFA Team of the Year at the end of this season by his fellow pros.
Would Hearts star James Penrice be a fit for Celtic?
At 26, Penrice is entering the peak of his years and is now an established left-back for the Edinburgh club.
If a move to Celtic ever materialised, and it looks like it’s not going to happen, would he be willing to sit on the bench for half a season?
On the flip side, is a player who hasn’t reached any level of the international stage good enough to pull on the famous green and white Hoops?
Many would suggest no. Whilst Penrice is a good player, it’s probably for the best that Celtic have ended their interest now.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
