Scottish Premiership star scouted by Celtic ‘agrees deal’ to sign for AEK Athens

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Celtic need a new left-back this summer.

Kieran Tierney rejoined the Hoops on a five-year contract having left Arsenal following the expiration of his contract in North London.

But Greg Taylor decided not to renew his Celtic deal after six years in Glasgow, and now he will play for Greek side PAOK.

Tierney needs back-up, particularly given his blotchy injury record. It’s almost guaranteed the Scotland international will be unable to avoid the treatment table this season.

Celtic have been monitoring Josh Doig, as exclusively revealed by 67 Hail Hail, while they also scouted Hearts left-back James Penrice.

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James Penrice set to join AEK Athens for £2m

However, Penrice won’t be pitching up at Celtic Park this summer because according to Fabrizio Romano, he is set to sign for AEK Athens.

Romano claims a deal has been agreed between Hearts and the Greek giants, with Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph adding further information.

Joseph reports that Penrice is in the Netherlands to undergo a medical for AEK Athens, and the fee agreed is said to be around £2m.

Missed opportunity for Celtic?

Given the fee is only £2m, Celtic would have been able to financially compete with AEK Athens for the signature of Penrice.

Penrice was an instant success for Hearts after moving from Livingston and he won the club’s Player of the Year award in May.

He knows the Scottish Premiership inside out, so this would have been a sensible signing for the Hoops.

Perhaps Penrice was keen on moving abroad knowing first-team football was guaranteed, which was probably not going to be the case at Celtic.