Peter Grant thinks Celtic are signing a ‘warrior’ in Nat Phillips as he closes in on a season-long loan move from Liverpool.
Brendan Rodgers has seen a number of key players in defence, including the leader of the pack, Cameron Carter-Vickers, fall foul to crushing injuries during the early stages of the new season.
Celtic aren’t feeling sorry for themselves, and instead, trying to get something done, with Grant adding that Nat Phillips is a player who came out with ‘flying colours’ during Liverpool’s time of need a number of seasons ago, as he told Go Radio.
This was during the Reds’ Premier League title defence when they lost a host of centre-backs through injury, including star man Virgil van Dijk.
There was huge worry at the time at Anfield that they wouldn’t secure Champions League football, but Phillips played his part in getting his team over the line – that’s why the likes of van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp and Andy Robertson speak so highly of the 26-year-old.
And now he is heading to Celtic (Sky Sports), with Grant pretty excited about the Liverpool star’s arrival.
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“He had a lot of games for Liverpool, young Nat,” said Grant. “He came in during a time when that boy Ben Davies was meant to come to Celtic and he went to Liverpool. He ended up keeping him out of the team.
“He has done exceptionally well. Played Champions League games and everything. A very honest defender. I know his dad well, Jimmy, who spent a small period of time at Rangers.
“Nat is an uncompromising defender. I think sometimes we get away from that. Centre-halves, you have to go out there and the first thing you have to make sure you do is defend. I think he has done that really, really well in a difficult time for Liverpool. I think he came out with flying colours.
“He has done well at Liverpool. They didn’t expect him to do as well as he did. He was a warrior for them. That’s what Celtic probably need.”
Phillips is a brilliant addition to Celtic
Premier League and Champions League experience, this is a smart addition from Celtic and it will start putting the smile back on fans’ faces.
Of course, a few more names and fresh faces are still needed, but Phillips is a no-nonsense centre-back and he does like to put his head where others wouldn’t.
That’s why, despite being a back-up player on Merseyside, he was a popular figure with the Liverpool fans because he wears his heart on his sleeve when defending.