Brendan Rodgers was keen on signing Shane Long during his Celtic tenure back in 2018 and now, the striker is a free agent after leaving Southampton on a free transfer – his contract ending today.
Long, 35, joined Southampton back in 2014 and has spent the last eight years on the south coast – other than a loan to Bournemouth during the 2020-21 season. He has clocked up an enormous 243 appearances.
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The 88-time international departs, though, as he enters the latter stages of his career. He managed just 19 outings under Ralph Hasenhuttl last season. Well-liked by Saints fans, he will now be looking for a new club.
Back in 2018, reports claimed that Celtic wanted to sign Long on a season-long loan. The 88-time Ireland international is known to be a Celtic fan, according to a report from the Independent in 2014.
Rodgers was keen on signing Long during Celtic tenure
While Long is 35, you would not think it from his performances. A player that works incredibly hard, chases every lost cause and battles. His goal return is not enormous, but it he brings so much more to a side.
Celtic do have options up front. Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Giorgos Giakoumakis. But the aforementioned duo can play out wide. Long would be a decent signing if brought in as cover for the Greece international.
A low-risk signing on a 12-month contract, Long would fit into Ange Postecoglou’s hard-working, high-pressing system. A forward once branded ‘perfect’ by Hasenhuttl, perhaps Celtic could sign a player Rodgers wanted.
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