Does Player of the Year Gavin Whyte finally deserve his Celtic move?

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Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte spent time at Scottish Premiership giants Celtic in 2015 but did not get a contract at Parkhead.

Celtic fans probably won’t remember much about Gavin Sykes and, in all honesty, nor should they.

According to the Express, the 19-year-old attacker had a short spell at the Scottish Premiership giants back in 2015 after Celtic’s head of U21 recruitment Willie McStay had ventured across to Northern Ireland to watch the Crusaders talent in action.

Whyte, who was then valued at £200,000, was also the subject of interest from Everton, West Ham, Stoke City and Leicester. So it should be a surprise to learn that he is still playing for Crusaders three years later, now aged 22.

But it seems only a matter of time before Whyte gets his belated big break across the Irish sea. As reported by the Belfast Telegraph, the red-hot right-winger has been named the Ulster Player of the Year, given to the top performer in Northern Ireland across the season.

The fact he has 21 goals from a wide position, and has all but inspired Crusaders to a third league title in four years, goes some way to explaining why he hogged the headlines at the league’s end of season gong.

Leeds United are understood to be interested but, on that form, Celtic should surely have another look at a player they did not sign after that trial period back in 2015.

Brendan Rodgers is one of the best managers around when it comes to helping young players realise their potential so he would be the best possible coach for Whyte, who could offer speed and a goal threat to a Celtic attack which has looked a little predictable at times recently.

Whyte would not make a big dent in Celtic’s summer transfer budget – and is a risk worth taking.