Robbie Brady, the final player linked with Celtic under Lennon, is now a free agent

By David Walton

May 27, 2021

Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady is now officially available on a free after leaving Burnley today.

Celtic were linked with a move for the winger back in February. He would end up being the final player linked under the Neil Lennon regime as he was touted for a move by the Scottish Sun.

The report claimed at the time that Celtic had tried to buy him back in the summer of 2019. But with his contract into its final few months, we were said to be eyeing up a fresh move.

And today, Burnley have indeed confirmed he won’t be offered a new deal. The player has only made 21 appearances for the Turf Moor club this season in a campaign littered with injuries [Transfermarkt].

At the time, it wasn’t an idea that went down well with the Celtic supporters. Many felt the move would’ve been counter-productive to the club.

Robbie Brady to Celtic looks highly doubtful now

Fans perhaps don’t have to be as worried as they were previously about Robbie Brady to Celtic. With Lennon no longer in charge, we’ll have a new recruitment team in soon making their own decisions. However, the Daily Record believes he’s on a list of targets ahead of the new man coming in.

If it is indeed to be Eddie Howe who takes over as manager, this again wouldn’t fit the profile of a player he would bring. Not when you consider the injury problems he’s had. Brady is hardly likely going to come to Celtic and take a colossal drop in wages. It’s too much of a risk.

Yes, Celtic need back-up to James Forrest down the right flank. You wonder whether his understudy should be more of an up-and-coming talent however. We would be as well just bringing Marian Shved back and seeing what he’s all about as opposed to bring in Brady. It could save the club thousands.

Robbie Brady was linked with Celtic in February/ (Photo by Charles McQuillan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Brady will of course land on his feet somewhere. We’re talking about a player who boasts 160 Premier League appearances to his name. Along with another 93 in the Championship as well as his 56 Ireland caps [Transfermarkt]. An English club will be more than willing to take a punt on him.

But Celtic need to shop more wisely than that this summer. If we’d have signed Brady up and he picked up a nasty injury that kept him out for several months, it would’ve set the tone for his time here. This was a link that never looked like it would’ve worked, not at this stage of his career as he closes in on 30.

For now, we’ll wait and see what the future holds for us this summer. Surely, however, this isn’t a player Howe will entartain.

In other news, Kenny Dalglish believes Steven Gerrard should follow a Celtic trend.