Reported Celtic target Brandon Soppy last month spoke about his lack of game-time in Rennes as well as rumours about a potential summer exit.
Celtic were last night linked with a move for the French right-back by reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano. L’Equipe then reported this morning that the player would cost €5m [£4.3m].
It comes as an opportunity appears to have opened up regarding the player’s contract. His current deal expires in the summer of 2022, with the player rejecting a new contract with Rennes.
Interestingly, however, he didn’t seem overly bothered about a lack of game-time this season and gave no indication he was interested in a move only last month.
In an exclusive interview with Onze Mondial, Soppy said the following:
“All players want more, that’s okay. Everyone wants to be on the pitch every game. But there are eleven players on the field. If you’re not in the eleven, that doesn’t mean you’re not ready, it means that there are simply better than you. You have to work, wait for your chance and prove, that’s all.
“It’s true, the club is having a good time. It is more difficult for a young person to play at a club qualified in the Champions League. But when you look closely, it’s okay, several players have been launched in recent months. Concerning myself, if at the start of the season I had been told that I was going to play so many games, I would never have believed it. I am not to be pitied.
“Me, I stay behind in relation to all that (rumours). My job is to play football, to be good on the pitch. I don’t have to figure out what’s going on outside. Afterwards, of course, you are happy when you read that big clubs are interested in you. It means that your work does not go unnoticed, that there is good in what you do. But we must not ignite the rumours. If you read everything that is said about you on the networks, you can be subconsciously destabilized.”
Celtic-linked Brandon Soppy appears to have made his intentions clear
It’s intriguing to hear him discuss his acceptance of not playing often this season. Indeed, Soppy only featured 11 times for the club last season after prolonged spells on the sidelines under both former boss Julien Stephan and Bruno Genesio [Transfermarkt].
But clearly there was an underlying message here. That the player does indeed want more and that he’s ready to take the next step.
Credit to Soppy for how he’s handled things. He hasn’t aired any dirty laundry in public. He hasn’t gone crying to the media about his lack of game-time or send an open invitation to clubs to come and get him. The player deals with things professionally and gives no indication he wanted out.
Yet it’s clear that’s exactly what’s on his mind. And it’ll be down to Celtic to decide whether they want to splash over £4m on the player.
The right-back position continues to be one of major concern for the football club. Celtic will need to spend in some capacity to solve what’s arguably our biggest problem position.
But it’s vital we ensure that Soppy is the right man for that job before we make our move.
In other news: REPORT: Celtic assessing Kyle Edwards’ wage demands amid Reading trial.
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