Celtic need a centre-back and former Rangers manager Mark Warburton the player that would be perfect for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
It was a torrid day for Celtic’s centre-backs. Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata were made to look like amateurs, as Kyle Lafferty, Harry Cochrane and Manuel Malinkovic profited during the 4-0 win at Tynecastle.
But it should get a whole lot worse for the Hoops duo. Considered mainstays under Brendan Rodgers, the former Liverpoo and Swansea City manager should be on the lookout for a new centre-back in January.
It will mean their position is under threat in the side, as Rodgers closes in on the £1million signing of RedBull Leipzig’s Marvin Compper, according to BBC Sport. But more additions are needed in defence.
Rodgers needs players he knows at first hand, players he can trust to perform and want to play for Celtic. That should see the former Chelsea head of youth turn to one of his graduates at Stamford Bridge – Jack Clarke-Salter.
ESPN claim former Rangers manager Mark Warburton is looking to lure the 20-year-old centre-back to Nottingham Forest in January, with a number of Championship clubs also said to be interested.
Clarke-Salter, who has made two appearances for Chelsea’s senior side, was part of the England Under-20 World Cup side that held aloft the trophy in South Korea. He started two group games, the semi-final and the final.
Boasting speed and an aerial prowess at the back, Clarke-Salter’s current level of potential regards him as one of the best young English defenders coming through the system after first working with Rodgers when joining Chelsea aged nine.
The duo were at Chelsea for two years together before Rodgers left to become the manager of Watford, but the Celtic boss will know just how good Clarke-Salter is.
Signing him on loan with a view to a permanent deal would be a major coup for the Hoops, if Rodgers can convince Celtic to let go of one of their best up-and-coming talents.
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