Motherwell defender Declan Gallagher has blossomed into an “exceptional” player since being let go by Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, Hoops youth coach Chris McCart has told the Daily Record.
Celtic fans could be forgiven for looking on enviously as a Lanarkshire-born defender produced a performance that would make William Wallace proud last week.
Ryan Christie and David Marshall may have hogged the headlines after Scotland’s dramatic European Championship play-off final victory over Serbia but Gallagher played a huge role in that tear-jerking success too.
Motherwell’s 6ft 6in bruiser was irrepressible in Steve Clarke’s back three, dominating Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from start to finish and winning a huge amount of headers.
The irony won’t be lost on Celtic supporters that while Gallagher thrives for club and country, Neil Lennon’s increasingly ramshackle side continues to ship goals at an alarming rate – including seven in 13 games before the November international break.
“I look at Declan Gallagher,” McCart says of a man released by the Glasgow giants as a youngster.
“He was part of a Scottish Youth Cup-winning side in 2010 and you could see he was a leader.
“He went out to Stranraer and his career took him down a different road. But look where it’s taken him. He’s matured into an exceptional player.”
After helping to guide Motherwell to a third place finish last season and Scotland to a major tournament for the first time this century, TEAMtalk reports Gallagher has emerged as a target for Premier League trio Sheffield United, West Brom and Burnley.
But if Celtic want to stop the rot and solve their major set-piece problem, perhaps they should consider offering Gallagher a second chance in green and white?
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