Armstrong Okoflex targeting making Celtic debut before turning 17

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Armstrong Okoflex has been confirmed as Celtic’s latest signing and he has big hopes for his first campaign at Parkhead.

Armstrong Okoflex has told Celtic’s official website that he is targeting making his debut for the Hoops’ senior side before he turns 17 after becoming the club’s latest signing during a chaotic end to the transfer window for the Bhoys.

Okoflex has arrived from Arsenal and the Scottish Premiership champions have confirmed on their official website that he has signed a three-year deal with the Hoops.

His arrival may not be quite as important to Brendan Rodgers’ immediate plans as the deals for the likes of Filip Benkovic or Youssouf Mulumbu, but the 16-year-old – who was born on the day that Alan Thompson scored and was then sent off in a 1-0 win over Aberdeen in 2002 – has suggested that he hopes to make his first-team bow by the end of the season.

“Training has been good so far, especially when I trained with the first-team. I couldn’t believe the level and it took me a couple of sessions to get to that level and I’m just happy to have had the opportunity to train with the first team and been around it. The quality here is good,” he told the club’s official website.

“This season I would like to make my debut. My personal target it to make my debut before I turn 17. I’m trying to aim high. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t, and I’ll just keep working.”

What should certainly help Okoflex out in his quest to make his first-team debut this term is the fact that he is an extremely versatile option who could potentially play right across the attacking third.

The teenager is predominantly a winger, but can also play up front if required. And with Moussa Dembele leaving in the final hours of the window, perhaps Rodgers may just end up in a situation at some stage where he decides to turn to the youngster if he wishes to rest Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths for a less important fixture.