Celtic are reportedly keen on Peterborough United’s Jack Marriott.
Celtic are yet to really make a move in the summer transfer market, but with questions over the future of Moussa Dembele, Brendan Rodgers may be looking for new strikers.
The Frenchman is expected to move on this summer, and reports earlier this week have suggested that Celtic do have their sights set on an English goalscorer.
The Scottish Sun report that, whilst Rangers are backing way from Peterborough United striker Jack Marriott due to the £5million asking price on his head, Celtic are pursuing his signature.
Marriott, 23, enjoyed a dream first season with Peterborough, smashing 33 goals in all competitions to become one of the most wanted players in the Footbal League, and Celtic now appear to be keen.
Any move for Marriott may be something of a gamble, but it would also be hugely reminiscent of Celtic’s 2010 deal to bring Gary Hooper to Celtic Park.
In the summer of 2010, then-Bhoys boss Neil Lennon swooped to land Hooper in a £2.4million deal from Scunthorpe United, as reported by BBC Sport, and the move proved to be a masterstroke.
Hooper smashed 82 goals in 138 games for Celtic before moving on to Norwich City in 2013, and there are certainly similarities between Hooper and now-Bhoys target Marriott.
Both players have featured in non-league football, with Hooper starring for Grays United and Marriott with Woking, before advancing through the leagues, with Hooper bagging 30 goals in a League One campaign for Scunthorpe; similar to Marriott’s record with Peterborough.
The pair stand at 5ft 9in tall and have impressive pace, meaning it’s not hard to see similarities between the two – and if Celtic do swoop to sign Marriott, they will be hoping for a Hooper-like impact from the striker.
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