Rory Mahady has confirmed that he has left Celtic after nine years at the club amid summer interest from Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. The 16-year-old goalkeeper has been at Parkhead since the age of seven.
Mahady, a Scotland Under-17 international, is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his age in British football. Little surprise then, that after turning 16 in the summer, he is attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
Reports at the end of May said that Leeds were leading the charge to land Mahady. However, Manchester City and Tottenham were also interested in landing his signature. Now, Mahady confirmed his Celtic exit over the weekend.
He took to Instagram to send a touching message to Celtic fans and the club, thanking them for the past nine years. End of an era for Mahady, but the start of a new one – though his next destination remains unclear, as things stand.
Mahady has confirmed he has left Celtic amid Leeds, Tottenham interest
Considering how highly-rated Mahady is already at this early stage in his career, he would be a superb addition. He would, without doubt, be joining any of the English club’s Under-18 sides. There is a long way to go to the first team.
But the trio would be adding a goalkeeper that instantly improves their sides at that level. They would also be bringing in a goalkeeper that could be a long-term solution at first team. Which move is the best for Mahady, then?
Leeds give plenty of youngsters a chance. They have two very young goalkeepers in Illan Meslier and Kris Klaesson at first-team level. Spurs have two much-older stoppers, and it might be the path into Spurs’ side is a lot easier.
By the time Mahady is ready for the first team, though, plenty could have changed. He is a goalkeeper with enormous potential and it is about nurturing that in the correct manner.
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