Celtic are tracking Nigerian hotshot Stephen Odey – but they have plenty of competition from Scandanavia.
Brendan Rodgers wasn’t kidding when he claimed that Celtic would be scouring some of the world’s more under-the-radar markets for unpolished young talent, the Evening Times reports.
From fresh-faced Australian midfielder Riley McGree, Belgian league hotshot Henry Onyekuru and Romanian international Ovidiu Popescu, The Bhoys have been linked with a number of highly-rated starlets in recent months.
And Stephen Odey is no different. All Nigeria Soccer report that the 19-year-old, plying his trade with the wonderfully named Mountain of Fire in his homeland, has been contacted by Celtic with the possibility of a trial with the Scottish champions.
However, they add that Celtic have plenty of competition with AIK Stockholm and FC Copenhagen also sniffing around.
Celtic’s Odeyssey
And Danish side FC Midtjylland, who have famously embraced the ‘moneyball’ approach to transfers with excellent results, may have edged ahead in the race for Odey’s signature.
Former Midtjylland star Pione Sisto scoring against Manchester United in the Europa League
”It’s an exciting opportunity and we have to see what it ends with,” said FCM sports director Claus Steinlein, in quotes reported by All Nigeria Soccer.
”In relation to his age, he is a player we are looking for to be able to go directly into the team and compete for a spot.”
At Celtic, meanwhile, Odey would probably have to wait for his opportunity. He may be the top scorer in the Nigerian first division with 14 goals this season but, with Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths (below) already fighting for a place in Rodgers’ lone-striker system, Odey would certainly be third choice at least.
Although, alongside Onyekuru, it’s clear that Nigeria won’t be lacking firepower in the coming years.
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