‘A win-win’: Manager confident his prized asset is not signing for Celtic

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Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin is confident that Connor Barron will stay at Pittodrie despite interest from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, speaking to the Press and Journal. 

Now, it’s dangerous to read too much into things like this. But surely The Dons wouldn’t rush to hand their academy graduate a shiny new shirt number if they thought he was on his way to Glasgow, right? 

Barron, shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award on the back of a terrific breakthrough season at Aberdeen, will be wearing number eight next term.

And with talks over a new and improved contract underway, Goodwin is losing no sleep despite Celtic’s interest in the tenacious Scotland U21 international. 

Is Celtic target Connor Barron staying at Aberdeen?

“Negotiations are ongoing. We are in quite a safe place at the moment with that one as Connor has a couple of years left (on his deal),” says the former St Mirren boss. 

“Both Connor and his family realise the opportunity that has been given here at Aberdeen. In my experience those kind of negotiations with young players that have come through the academy are never too difficult. 

“It should be done pretty smoothly if everybody is sensible about the negotiation process. Connor deserves to be rewarded financially off the back of his good performances last year. And the club are just doing what any other club would do in terms of protecting its assets.

“It should be a win-win for everybody.”

Aberdeen do not appear to be under any immediate pressure to cash in on Barron either. Especially after another homegrown teenager – Calvin Ramsay – joined six-time European champions Liverpool for an initial £4 million in June. 

Celtic and Aberdeen, of course, have already done some business this summer. 

Liam Scales moved north on a season-long loan deal after struggling to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI. Scales has fallen even further down Celtic’s pecking order following the arrival of Alexandro Bernabei.