David Healy makes prediction about Rangers, Celtic and Leeds-linked Charlie Allen

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Charlie Allen is being linked with Rangers, Celtic and Leeds United.

David Healy believes Charlie Allen’s time at Linfield is already coming to an end with the Belfast Telegraph reporting that the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Leeds United are interested in the talented midfielder.

The teen sensation is perhaps the most exciting youngster in Irish football right now.

Allen is starting to establish himself in the first-team at Linfield and he could become the youngest British player to ever feature in a Champions League game should he make an appearance against Rosenborg in the second leg of the first qualifying round next Wednesday.

The Belfast Telegraph claims that a number of Premier League giants are interested. So too are Scottish Premiership giants Rangers and Celtic, plus Leeds United from the Championship.

And Healy, the Linfield manager who played for both Leeds and Rangers towards the end of his career, believes it is only a matter of time before Allen is snapped up.

“Charlie was named in the 25-man squad for the Rosenborg game which tells you how much we rate him,” said the Northern Ireland legend. “He’s still young, developing and has a lot to learn, but I know, in time, Charlie won’t see his 17th or 18th birthday at Linfield.

“He will be elsewhere. Our plan is to guide him the best way for the next 12 months when he is here.

“He is still at school and hopefully when he does go he will make the right choices and have an incredible full-time career.”

The question is, which club represents the best destination for this precocious talent? A move to Scotland would make sense given how many players have risen through the ranks at Celtic in recent years, while at Ibrox, Steven Gerrard has shown a refreshing awareness of how to get the best out of young talents.

Leeds, meanwhile, have Marcelo Bielsa. Considering the remarkable improvements made by Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke and co under the legendary Argentinian, imagine how much Allen could learn at Elland Road.