Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has frozen out Logan Bailly but Aston Villa could hand him a lifeline.
If Sam Johnstone does not turn his impressive loan spell at Aston Villa permanent at the end of the season, manager Steve Bruce will have a tough task replacing the Manchester United-owned goalkeeper.
Although few would have expected Celtic outcast Logan Bailly to be at the top of his wish list. The Scottish Sun claim that the 31-year-old is on Villa’s radar as Bruce aims to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion next season.
Yet Bailly is hardly a signing that will elicit a huge amount of excitement in supporters. The Belgian has only played three league games for Celtic since signing from OH Leuven in the summer of 2015 and is yet to feature at all in Brendan Rodgers’ debut season at the helm.
Consequently, Bailly has been restricted to the odd run-out with the champions’ under-20 team as he aims to maintain his fitness ahead of an expected summer departure.
However, it would appear far more likely that Villa view Bailly as a potential back-up option for next season. Italian youngster Pierluigi Gollini is set to remain on loan at Atalanta for another season, meaning the Midland giants may be forced to sign not one but two goalkeepers in the summer.
Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who was Bruce’s first signing during his reign at the KCom Stadium, would appear a far more astute addition. After all, while Bailly has been limited to reserve football, Jakupovic has earned plaudits for his performances in the Premier League.
He preserved a vital point in Hull’s survival fight by saving a late penalty in their goalless draw with Southampton on Saturday but, with just a year left on his contract, Sky Sports claim that Villa may pounce.
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