‘A diamond’: Former coach backs reported Celtic target to shine at Parkhead

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Charlton Athletic winger Alfie Doughty is a ‘diamond’ who could thrive at Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, his former Kingstonian coach Leigh Dynan has told the Daily Record.

The London-born 20-year-old only made his senior league debut 10 months ago, but he is already being tipped for a life-changing move north of the border.

Celtic are always on the lookout for future stars who can be bought on the cheap and sold on for a massive profit and the Sun (6 September, page 63) reports that Doughty could set them back just £750,000 with a year remaining on his Charlton contract.

Some may be wondering if a move to the Glasgow giants, where success is not just targeted but expected, may be a classic case of too much, too soon.

But a man who knows Doughty better than most is backing the youngster to go from strength to strength, wherever he ends up.

“There’s a diamond there to be polished. I can assure you that. Alfie is a tremendous footballer and a top lad. He has a big future,” Dynan says.

“I signed him at Kingstonian and he was just 18 but his athleticism caught the eye straight away. He has an eye for goal even playing down the left flank and has a great engine.

“You could see his quality – it stood out a mile. You look at him and think he’s not that quick but he is deceivingly quick and has a great delivery. The balls he puts in in the final third are a real asset.

“He does both sides of the game. He is good at defending but he is also good at going forward with the ball, putting in crosses and getting the odd goal. Wing back or a full-back that bombs on – he can do both.”

Doughty produced four goals and three assists for Charlton during his breakthrough year, catching the eye with his explosive pace down the left whether playing on the wing or in an adventurous full-back role.

Speaking to London News Online today, Addicks boss Lee Bowyer confirmed that Celtic had made a bid, while suggesting that Doughty would be better off continuing his education in League One.