Celtic may not be perfect move for Manchester City outcast Fabian Delph

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Fabian Delph needs regular football after two difficult years at Manchester City but would he get it at Celtic?

Manchester City’s Fabian Delph needs a fresh start

With just ten Premier League starts to his name since the beginning of 2015/16, it is little surprise that Fabian Delph has been tipped to leave Manchester City in the summer.

On reflection, you could group the nine-time England international alongside Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair in failing to make the grade at the Etihad after thriving in smaller ponds elsewhere.

Yet, according to the Daily Star, there is no shortage of clubs aiming to offer Delph a lifeline this summer. And, along with Newcastle United, West Brom and Burnley, Celtic are in the race for his signature.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reportedly wants Delph

Though the cynics barely miss a chance to lambaste the perceived lack of quality in the Scottish Championship, it appears that Parkhead is exactly the sort of move that could revive Delph’s stuttering career.

After all, fellow City exile Sinclair has shone north of the border and the prospect of playing a major role in a league title chase after failing to make his mark in Manchester should appeal – more so than scrapping for a mid-table place with Newcastle, West Brom or Burnley.

The question, however, is whether there is even space for Delph in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield. After all, Celtic are hardly short of options.

Although the out-of-favour Nir Bitton is likely to leave this summer, Delph would be hard pushed dislodging the rejuvenated Scott Brown or Stuart Armstrong, who has just enjoyed the best season of his career, in Rodgers’ starting XI.

Furthermore, Rodgers’ ‘magic man’ Rogic offered a reminder of his brilliance with a superb individual goal in the Scottish Cup final win against Aberdeen. And the rise of Callum McGregor, plus the January addition of Eboue Kouassi, means the Bhoys are stocked full of talent.

Celtic’s Callum McGregor was a revelation in the second half of last season

Celtic may be viewed as something of a smaller pond, at least compared to City, but there is no guarantee that Delph would suddenly be the first name on the team-sheet after two years collecting splinters on the bench.