Celtic have placed two talented teenagers on their summer transfer wish list, with The Mail claiming that Hearts left-back Aaron Hickey and Reading winger Michael Olise are both targets for the Scottish Premiership champions.
With clubs north of the border likely to be hit hard by an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty, it is no surprise really that the Hoops are eyeing bargain deals for a number of exciting young talents.
With Hearts dumped out of the top flight this week, the Mail suggests that Hickey could be available for far less than his £1.5 million price-tag.
The Glasgow-born starlet has been a bright light in a dark season at Tynecastle, with Celtic taking a keen interest in re-signing a player they let go in 2018. Hickey might have failed to make the grade in green and white the first-time around but the dominant force of Scottish football are ready to rectify that mistake.
A first-team berth would hardly be guaranteed at Parkhead, however, even if Jonny Hayes appears to have one foot out of the door. Boli Bolingoli and Greg Taylor, as it stands, are going nowhere.
The Mail adds that Celtic are also interested in Olise, a former Chelsea and Manchester City youngster who has represented France at U18 level.
A rangy winger who stands head and shoulders above the rest due to his fine technical ability and commendable work rate, Olise has caught the eye in a Reading team chock full of precocious young talents.
“Michael is a massively talented player. Defensively, he showed he was years ahead of his time,” Royals boss Mark Bowen told the club’s website in January.
“That’s not just what he does on the ball, but also his work-rate and intelligence.”
The Mail points out that Celtic’s director of football, Nicky Hammond, is fully aware of Olise’s talents after watching the youngster rise through the ranks during his time at Reading.
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