Two of Celtic’s midfielders, Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong, have been tipped to leave the Scottish Premiership for the Premier League.
Celtic have allegedly performed a dramatic U-turn on the future of Stuart Armstrong. This time last year, the Scottish Premiership giants were determined to tie the influential midfielder down to a new deal amid interest from a number of English clubs.
Armstrong had scored 17 goals in all competitions and was arguably Celtic’s best player as they won the domestic treble.
This unquestionably has something to do with the fact that Armstrong, a reported target for Southampton, Brighton and West Bromwich Albion, contributed just five goals and six assists in a season in which he was a shadow of his former self.
Although Armstrong’s seemingly inevitable exit puts pressure on Celtic to retain the man who took his place in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield. According to the Scottish Sun, Watford and Bournemouth are both keen on the £10 million-rated Callum McGregor, who is allegedly open to a move to England this summer.
But if Armstrong leaves, McGregor simply must stay. The 24-year-old academy graduate enjoyed his best season at Celtic in 2017/18, scoring 12 goals and setting up eight in all competitions, and he has replicated the energy, drive and productivity that Armstrong provided the year before.
McGregor’s emergence means Armstrong’s exit is not the problem it would have been 12 months ago, but Celtic simply cannot lose them both.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
