By:
Mark Hendry
Celtic have opened transfer talks with Dundalk over a move for teenage defender Vinnie Leonard.
The Hoops have reportedly been keeping track of the youngster for over a year.
Leonard signed his first professional contract with the Irish club last year.
And at 17 he can now make the move should an agreement be struck.
It is claimed Celtic have been keeping a close eye on the defender from beyond last season and watched as he played a whopping 37 games in the First Division last term.
That has kept Leonard on the Scottish champions’ radar.
And with Wilfried Nancy at the helm it is being claimed that the new manager has sanctioned a move.
Vinnie Leonard is Celtic transfer target
That means the previous scouting regime’s work will be used, in part, in the coming January transfer window.
Leonard is a Republic of Ireland youth cap and is on the radar of a number of other clubs in the UK.
Norwich City, Genoa and Lyon are all believed to be interested in the player.
It is also being reported by the Daily Record in Scotland that, should Celts, move, they would greenlight a loan back to Dundalk for the coming campaign.
That could potentially help Celts with an intriguing clause aside from a simple fee.
Said fee could be as much as six figures to convince the Lilywhites to sell as they are in no need to do so.
Celtic have history of signing players from the Irish leagues.
Liam Scales was signed from Shamrock Rovers while the struggling Johnny Kenny was brought to Parkhead from Sligo Rovers.
In previous seasons they have also brought in the likes of Michael Duffy from Derry City.
The connection between nation and club remains significant.
Celtic currently have two Irishmen in their first-team squad and a plethora of others in their academy.
Celtic’s Irish connection in first-team
Leonard would likely make the move to Glasgow to join with the B team at first.
Even after spending another season with Dundalk to earn more first-team playing time.
At 17 it is not to be sniffed at just how many matches the kid has featured in the men’s game.
Since making his debut on February 5 of last year – at 16 vs Bohemians – he has gone from strength to strength.
That has alerted big clubs to his talents.
The player and his representation at PSM will have to weigh up the benefits of every interested party.
Celtic, of course, can use Scales as an example who is now a starter in the lineup as well as a Republic of Ireland international.
Scales played a major part in ROI beating both Portugal and Hungary.
He will also play in the World Cup qualifying playoff vs Czechia in March.
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