Troy Deeney is a huge fan of potential Celtic signing Bosun Lawal

By David Walton

July 13, 2021

Troy Deeney appears to be a big fan of potential Celtic signing Bosun Lawal after watching him in action for the Watford youth sides.

According to the Watford Observer, Celtic are closing in on the £150k signing of young Irish midfielder Lawal. The player is said to have turned down a new contract with the Hornets despite their promotion to the EPL last season.

The midfielder could feature for Celtic’s B team next season should the deal go through. But after winning Watford’s Academy Player of the Season last term, there will be plenty of focus on him.

And he’s already clearly caught the eye of Watford captain Deeney, who bigged the youngster up back in May.

Speaking via Watford’s official Twitter account two months ago, Deeney said: “I saw him against Newcastle and I thought he did well, he was captain that day. About three or four days later he played against Sheffield United and I was there and we stood and watched him.

“He’s got a little bit of Doucoure about him. He can go past somebody effortlessly and he’s got a big long stride. I thought he did really well. And again, three or four days after playing in the 23s he plays another 90 minutes and it was effortless to him.

“There’s not many young players who catch your eye and you go ‘oh he’s going to have a career’, but he certainly does that.”

Troy Deeney hypes up Bosun Lawal ahead of reported Celtic switch

By all accounts, this is a promising deal for Celtic to potentially get over the line. At face value, it appears we’re nabbing Watford’s best young talent from their academy. Not bad going considering their newly-earned EPL status.

Midfield is of course Celitc’s strongest area of the pitch. Competing against the likes of Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, and Ismaila Soro won’t be easy. But Lawal appears to have the tools to make an impact in the long-term.

For now, it looks as though the B team could be calling his name. Celtic have a second-string outfit for young players competing in the Lowland League this term.

Should Lawal prove that he’s a cut above that level of football, that’s when he’s likely to get his big chance to make the Celtic first-team. At only 18 years of age, of course, he has the world at his feet.

Given the reputation he’ll arrive in Glasgow with, there’ll be a spotlight on him from the start. Should the deal go through, big things will be expected from him in the coming years.

But there’s no denying the more you look into this move, the more exciting it looks.

In other news: Read our report on the Lawal to Celtic story.