Celtic are reportedly expected to move for Adam Matthews after Neil Lennon was put off Middlesbrough’s Paddy McNair.
Celtic are now ‘weighing up’ a bid to bring Adam Matthews back to Parkhead after manager Neil Lennon backed out of a potential deal for Middlesbrough ace Paddy McNair, according to the Scotsman.
The departures of Jeremy Toljan, Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa mean signing a new right-back this summer is an absolute necessity for a club desperate to retain their dominance of Scottish football in the face of a rejuvenated Rangers.
The Northern Echo reported last week that Northern Ireland international McNair was an option with the versatile 24-year-old capable of playing at full-back, at centre-half or in defensive midfield.
The report did point out that he would cost £5 million, however, while his wages could be prohibitive for Celtic. But that isn’t the only reason why a move to Parkhead looks very unlikely for the former Manchester United youngster.
The Scotsman claims that Lennon was worried about reports suggesting that McNair was a Rangers fan. He was pictured outside Ibrox wearing a Gers scarf last year after all. His ‘Cmon the Gers’ caption spoke volumes.
As a result, Celtic have now turned their attention to Matthews, who is a free agent after being released by Sunderland.
The Welshman won four Scottish Premiership titles during his first spell at Celtic between 2011 and 2015.
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