New reported Celtic target said he ‘grew up being a Rangers fan’

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Sky Sports have reported of interest in Leeds United left-back Barry Douglas from Celtic.

It was reported late last night (10:53pm) that Celtic are looking at the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star as a possible replacement for Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, who they are keen to offload this summer after he broke quarantine rules.

Douglas had injury problems at Leeds last season, but the 30-year-old remains a very capable left-back who can also operate as a wing-back.

For the right price, the Scotland international would be a very good signing for the Hoops, but it may be of interest to fans of the Glasgow giants to know that the 30-year-old grew up supporting Rangers.

Douglas said on Talking Shutt’s Youtube channel on April 9, 2020, as trancribed by TheBootRoom: “I grew up in Pollok which is literally five minutes from Ibrox so my family were predominantly Rangers fans.

“So I grew up being a Rangers fan. But once you start playing, and breaking into the senior ranks, it changes a bit.

“You always have your club in your heart, but when you’re playing for points week in week out, it changes it a little bit.”

The left-back told Leeds’s official website on May 9, 2020: “I grew up watching Rangers, my family was from Pollock, which is five minutes from there.

“My uncle also lived in London, so when I went down to visit, he stayed two minutes from Highbury, and we went to a few games there.

“So Arsenal were probably the first English team I liked growing up, and I always remember talking to Ian Wright.”

Good signing for Celtic?

Douglas may have grown up as a Rangers fan, but if he was to join Celtic this summer, then the Celtic Park faithful should not worry about his commitment.

The Scotland international is a very committed footballer on the pitch who works hard and always gives his best.

The 30-year-old would be an upgrade on Bolingoli-Mbombo, who struggled to make a huge impact at Celtic this past season.

According to Transfermarkt.co.uk, the left-back provided two assists in 14 Scottish Premiership matches and provided one assist in four Europa League games for Celtic in 2019-20.