Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam has bigged up incoming defensive Celtic signing Ben Davies.
Sky Sports have reported the Preston North End centre-half has signed a pre-contract with the Bhoys.
The Scottish Sun also believe that Celtic are pushing to get a deal done for the 25-year-old before the January transfer deadline on Monday night.
There are conflicting reports about whether this is actually over the line yet, but the signs are good the English defender is on his way to Paradise.
Davies represents the first signing of the Celtic rebuild after a failed season in the Scottish Premiership and Europe.
We really need our recruitment to be spot on over the next 12 months, so there’ll be a bit of pressure on the Preston man to perform.
Adam, who is hardly the most pro-Celtic pundit out there, knows of Davies from his time in English football and reckons he’ll be a good acquisition.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer this week, he said: “This would be a good signing for Celtic. I’d say he is one of the best at his position in the Championship.
“Left sider, quick, good size. I remember seeing him on loan at Fleetwood a few years ago. He played 20 odd games there and went back to Preston who were going to get rid of him. Alex Neil came in that summer and Fleetwood had agreed a deal to take him back. He wanted to go back to Fleetwood because he enjoyed it that much.
“But Alex Neil saw him in pre-season and said you’re going nowhere and gave him a new contract. Now he’s played over 100 games for Preston. For me, if Celtic can get that over the line, that will be a good signing.”
Form of Ben Davies as he potentially heads to Celtic
The centre-half has been a regular pick for Alex Neil at Preston this season, making 18 appearances in the Championship. Seven of those have resulted in clean sheets as they push towards a playoff position.
He’d slot in on the left side of a defensive partnership and can also play left-back. He’s made 77 career appearances in the wide position, offering Celtic versatility.
Clubs such as Bournemouth, Genk and Sheffield United are all said to have been keen on him recently [Daily Mail].
On a pre-contract, his signing would be relatively risk-free. He could prove to be an effective replacement for Shane Duffy, who has failed to impress this season.
Hopefully, we confirm this one soon, agree on a January transfer, and he can hit the ground running. We all need a bit of hope, and new signings are one way to get it.
In other news, Neil Lennon’s Frimpong timeline leaves Celtic with no excuses.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
