Celtic are interested in rivalling Rangers for the transfer of Bailey Rice this year, who could become the 10th player to join the Hoops from Motherwell yet with a switch to Parkhead.
The Old Firm rivals are fighting to sign Rice ahead of the defender turning 16 this October, and being eligible for a professional contract. He is currently still on youth terms at Fir Park but the Scotland U17 international’s displays have already caught the Glasgow giants’ eye.
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The Daily Record report Celtic and Rangers consider Rice to be one of the brightest talents in Scotland right now. So much so that both clubs have made Motherwell an opening offer as the Steelman weigh up cashing in, while an unnamed Premier League team is also keen.
Celtic and Rangers are interested in Rice as Motherwell considering cashing in
Motherwell are mulling selling Rice this summer to land the best terms, amid interest from Celtic, Rangers and in England. They would want to agree a move that features future add-ons for the teenager they otherwise risk only receiving a basic compensation package for.
Talks between Motherwell and the hierarchies at Celtic and Rangers remain ongoing to see if a deal can be agreed. Yet the Steelman have not given up hope that they can retain Rice, as Graham Alexander’s side are still encouraging their youth prodigy to stay in Lanarkshire.
A path to first-team football may be what sways Rice’s mind as the Well product awaits his senior breakthrough. But Football Scotland also noted back in January whilst citing interest from Rangers that his preference would be to play in England, with Manchester City keen.
The Premier League champions scouted Rice during the winter as several English clubs put the promising youngster under watch. Yet teams south of the border cannot offer players a professional contract until they turn 17, which could hinder any pursuits of Rice this year.
So, Celtic may stand an advantage over the English interest in Rice leaving Motherwell and face a head-to-head battle with Rangers. The Hoops winning the battle would also see him be just the 10th player to join the Bhoys from the Steelman so far and second in 10 years…
Turnbull the last Motherwell player to join Celtic amid Rice interest
David Turnbull is the most recent Motherwell player to join Celtic for Rice to possibly now follow amid the Bhoys’ interest. The Parkhead natives struck a last-gasp £3m deal for the midfielder in August 2020, 14 months after his initial proposed move had fallen through.
The 22-year-old regained Neil Lennon’s interest after recovering from the knee injury that had derailed his switch. And Turnbull has since justified Celtic securing his services with 19 goals and 16 assists through 77 appearances, starting 64, across all competitions to date.
Slane offers Rice youthful example amid Celtic’s interest in Motherwell gem
Paul Slane offers Rice a youthful example to potentially now follow amid Celtic’s interest in the Motherwell talent. The Hoops signed the winger from the Well aged 18 in 2010, having played just nine first-team games with the Lanarkshire outfit for one goal and two assists.
But the move to Parkhead did not work out for Slane, as the Glasgow native only featured once in green-and-white. His sole game also only lasted 13 minutes between loan spells at MK Dons and Partick Thistle and serious injuries before leaving the Hoops in January 2013.
McDonald made instant impact after leaving the Steelmen in 2007
Scott McDonald made an instant impact at Celtic after leaving Motherwell in 2007 to end a three-year stay with the Steelmen. The Australian scored 25 goals in 36 Premiership games during the 2007/08 campaign on route to the title as the league’s top-scorer that season.
He had produced double-digit hauls during each of the forward’s full seasons with the Well but he never hit more than 15. McDonald also followed his 25-goal haul with 16 in 2008/09 and 10 in ‘09/10 before leaving Glasgow for Middlesbrough late in the mid-season market.
Celtic raided Motherwell for academy product Pearson in 2004
Celtic raided Motherwell for another of their academy products in Stephen Pearson during 2004. The midfielder had made 102 first-team appearances after coming off the Steelmen production line in 2001. But he would only enjoy 65 with the Hoops before leaving in 2006.
Derby County signed Pearson after two-and-a-half years in Glasgow, having only ever held a squad role at Celtic. The Lanark-born ace only started 28 of his games in all competitions. He also only opened 22 of his 55 Premiership matches for six goals, yet left with two titles.
O’Donnell left Motherwell for Celtic as an academy graduate in 1994
Phil O’Donnell also left Motherwell for Celtic in 1994 after graduating from the Steelmen’s academy four years earlier. The Bellshill-born midfielder honed his trade with the Well and went on to establish a prominent first-team presence before testing his skills in Glasgow.
Five years with the Hoops would not return the same levels of individual success O’Donnell had enjoyed with Motherwell, though. He would then leave for England in 1999 and joined Sheffield Wednesday, before returning to the Well in 2004 for the final stint of his career.
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