Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is a fan of the Australian winger and a move to the Scottish Premiership should be on the cards from Central Coast Mariners.
If Brendan Rodgers casts his mind back to 2013, he might remember a fresh-faced Australian winger by the name of Connor Pain.
The then-19-year-old was the star of the show despite Melbourne Victory’s 2-0 pre-season defeat to Rodgers’ Liverpool in a pre-season clash. Pain gave Glen Johnson a torrid time and, after the game, the Northern Irish coach raved about the teenager.
“The young boy Pain makes some terrific runs from outside to in,” Rodgers told Goal. “You know, he’s clever, he’s bright.
“He hit a great shot that moved a bit and Brad Jones made a really good save.”
Five years on, perhaps it is time Rodgers started thinking about Pain again.
Because the World Game reports that his future at A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners is in doubt with his contract expiring at the end of this season. It is understood that Hull City want to bring the 25-year-old to Britain.
But Celtic have a recent history when it comes to targeting and signing Australian players; see Tom Rogic and Daniel Arzani. The Hoops also reportedly wanted the Aussie youngster Riley McGree in 2017 (Scottish Sun).
With Manchester City loanee Arzani potentially out for the rest of the season with a ligament injury, there is a place in Celtic’s squad for another winger and Pain, who can play on either flank, would perhaps fill the void.
Five years after singing his praises, Rodgers should perhaps be the manager who gives Pain his big break.
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