Utrecht defender Giovanni Troupee has been linked with a move to Celtic.
General View of Utrecht’s Stadion Galgenwaard
Utrecht defender Giovanni Troupee has been quoted by The Scottish Sun as saying that he is flattered to be linked with a move away – but confusion surrounds Celtic’s interest.
Troupee, 19, has come up through the ranks with Utrecht having joined the club back in 2009, and the Amsterdam-born right back has now become a first-team regular.
A former Dutch Under-17 international, Troupee has played 29 Eredivisie games this season, notching an impressive three goals and two assists in league football.
Troupee’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed though, and the Daily Record reported last week that Celtic have been watching him in action ahead of a possible summer move.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates
The Scottish Sun contradicted those claims, stating that Celtic weren’t interested in signing Troupee this summer, with the defender commenting on his future regardless.
Troupee was quoted as saying that he is flattered to hear of interest from another club, but he is focusing on playing and developing with Utrecht for the foreseeable future.
“Of course it is flattering to hear your name linked with big clubs abroad,” said Troupee. “But no one has told me anything about it and I am just concentrating on improving my game here at Utrecht and continuing to learn,” he added.
Celtic’s Mikael Lustig in action with Rangers’ Joseph Dodoo
The links to Troupee fit Celtic’s bill; young, affordable and with huge potential, but whether they need another right back this summer is another matter.
Rodgers not only has Mikael Lustig at his disposal, but also swooped to land Cristian Gamboa last summer, with Saidy Janko out on loan at Barnsley, meaning that the Bhoys already have a host of right backs – and Troupee, as promising as he is, may not be needed right now.
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