Shamrock Rovers are weighing up a bid from Celtic as the Scottish Premiership giants continue to hold talks over a move for the versatile Liam Scales, as reported by The Irish Mirror.
With only a few weeks of the transfer window remaining, there’s a nagging feeling Ange Postecoglou is building his dynasty on a foundation of sand.
Out of the Champions League and playing catch-up in the Premiership, Celtic still need a right-back, left-back, centre-half, commanding central midfielder and a prolific number nine, one capable of succeeding a drained-looking Odsonne Edouard.
At least Scales, should he make the move from Dublin to Glasgow, would potentially kill two – perhaps three – birds with one stone.
Standing at 6ft 4in, the Republic of Ireland U21 international is a centre-half by trade.
But he can also fill in at left-back or midfield if required, thereby offering plenty of balance and cover to a lopsided Celtic squad.
Could Liam Scales be Postecoglou’s next Celtic signing?
On Monday afternoon, The Scottish Sun reported talks between the Hoops and Shamrock Rovers had got under way.
It’s understood negotiations have progressed smoothly since then to the point Celtic have made an opening bid for a man who has less than a year left on his contract.
It’s not certain how much the Hoops have offered for Scales, although it’s believed the one-time Manchester City triallist would leave the Tallaght Stadium as the most expensive player in the history of the Irish League, a deal expected to set Celtic back more than £400,000.
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Scales has also been linked with a couple of clubs in England, including Championship outfit Cardiff City.
However, there’s a feeling Glasgow remains his most likely destination, aided by the fact Celtic’s majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, also has a 25 per cent stake in Shamrock Rovers.
Celtic have only signed one defender this summer and Carl Starfelt endured a miserable start to his green-and-white career, sprawling on the Tynecastle turf as Hearts opened the scoring after just eight minutes of their Premiership opener on Saturday.
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