Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have shown an interest in St Patrick’s Athletic winger Darragh Burns this year though a club in England’s third tier are now leading the chase, as reported by the Irish Independent.
Back in September, when Drogheda United midfielder Killian Phillips was being linked with a move to Glasgow, there were plenty of the other side of the sea who were quick to issue a few words of warning.
Celtic’s track record, when it comes to developing the talents of exciting young Irishmen, certainly leaves a lot to be desired, at least in recent years.
Luca Connell was one of the most coveted teenagers in Britain when he joined the Hoops back in 2019.
Earlier this month, Connell joined Barnsley after failing to make a single Premiership appearance in three years. Armstrong Okoflex, meanwhile, jumped at the chance to join West Ham United after struggling to force his way into the first-team picture too. And that’s without mentioning Lee O’Connor and Jonathan Afolabi.
Or, for that matter, Liam Scales. The former Shamrock Rovers ace joined Aberdeen on loan after starting a grand total of four league matches during a frustrating debut season at Celtic.
Celtic and Hibs like St Pat’s winger Darragh Burns
A cautionary tale for Burns, then, with the Irish Independent reporting that Celtic showed an interest in the 19-year-old in January. Hibernian are also admirers of the teenager, as are Shamrock Rovers and Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion.
Burns will become a free-agent in November. As things stand, a third-tier English club are in pole position. It is not certain at this stage whether Celtic will make another move, however, even if a new right-winger high on Ange Postecoglou’s summer wishlist (The Athletic).
“We just try to get Darragh to be as positive as possible,” says St Pat’s boss Tim Clancy of a confident, elegant wideman who loves to cut inside onto his favoured left foot.
“What he is very good at is getting at players. He gets us up the pitch. He’s a ball carrier. He is a very confident kid.”
“Darragh Burns is an unbelievable talent and a great player,” adds Patrick McEleney, who came up against the whizzkid at Derry City.
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