Celtic were said to be interested in signing Rekeem Harper from West Bromwich Albion.
West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic’s comments about Rekeem Harper show what Celtic missed out on.
Celtic were heavily linked with Harper in the summer, but they ultimately failed to get a deal over the line.
Since penning that deal, Harper has only made a limited impact in West Brom’s first-team.
However, Bilic has been hugely impressed by the 19-year-old in training.
“He’s a great talent,” Bilic said.
“I insisted that he stayed, because he was out of contract. I rate him extremely highly and I have had meetings with him and talks. He’s improving a lot since then, the quality was never in doubt, and he’s getting there.
“Like any other player he has to be patient, work hard, and wait for his chance that is going to come 100 per cent, probably soon.”
Bilic’s praise of Harper highlights the potential that he has, and Celtic may be left to rue what might have been if he does go on to fulfil it.
Neil Lennon had personally been to watch the youngster play, such was the level of Celtic’s interest in the midfielder (Daily Record).
If Harper had moved north of the border he could have been a real asset for Celtic, and potentially made them a huge profit in the future, given his potential.
But it seems that Celtic’s chance to get him away from West Brom has gone now, with Harper settled and impressing at the Hawthorns.
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