Celtic are currently being linked with a multitude of players in the January transfer window and some will no doubt be agents pushing players or historical links resurfacing as fresh news.
However, in the case of 23-year-old Aussie playmaker Riley McGree there may be something in this one. Conall McGinty has already outlined the current situation with conflicting reports linking the player to Celtic, Middlesbrough and indeed a return to Birmingham where the Australian international has just ended a loan spell at English Championship side Birmingham City where he made 30 appearances and scored three goals, and was expected to return to parent club, MLS franchise side Charlotte FC.
READ THIS…Celtic closing in on Australian International Riley McGree amid stiff Championship competition
There does seem to be plenty of confidence in the way the story in the Daily Mail has been written this morning strongly linking Riley McGree with a move to Celtic.
There is certainly merit in this one as Ange Postecoglou gave the player his first Australian cap when Socceroos’ head coach, and Celtic are very much still on the lookout for an attacking midfielder to supplement Reo Hatate, Tom Rogic and the injured David Turnbull.
Ange's comments on Riley McGree when he first called him up for the @Socceroos at the age of 18 and less than 15 senior matches. pic.twitter.com/7APRXVUBiA
— Khalil Kayal (@khalilkayalKK) January 9, 2022
And if the comments of his former Birmingham teammate George Friend are anything to go by, he’s clearly a player his peers rate highly: “He has been great. He’s a very good player. ‘He has had a really tough time here because under Aitor Karanka he just didn’t play, even though every day in training he was arguably the best player.
“He has waited and he has got a great temperament and personality – and most of all he is a talented footballer, so I hope he can stay on some level.”
It’s no surprise a talented playmaker struggled for playing time under Aitor Karanka, a coach who makes Sam Allarydyce look as adventurous as Jurgen Klopp, so it is far from a criticism of the left footed central midfielder with six caps for Australia, not to have played much during the Spaniard’s tenure, nor is it a shock Birmingham City haven’t yet made their own move, as Lee Bowyer’s side are very much a team under huge financial pressures.
As such Riley McGree is clearly a player Ange Postecoglou rated enough so as to include him in his plans for the Australian national team. McGree is also one who is unlikely to cost an astronomical fee coming from Charlotte FC in the MLS, and he is a player who could hit the ground running having played regularly in the English Championship.
And with McGree being a player who operates in a position Ange will be keen to strengthen, and is already be aware of the demands the manager makes, there is a lot of positives to consider in this particular link and a lot of promise too.
This particular transfer rumour is well worth keeping an eye on.
Niall J
🇦🇺 | Riley McGree
Celtic are closing in on a deal to bring Australia international Riley McGree to the club.
Ange Postecoglou has been a long time admirer of the 23 year old central midfielder.
[@DailyMailUK]pic.twitter.com/tjxD0cD6ZH
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) January 9, 2022
Celtic are closing on a deal for Australia international Riley McGree https://t.co/BQTfBMw2i9
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) January 9, 2022
McGree to join fellow Aussies Postecoglou & Rogic at Celtic?https://t.co/a4vujabeV4
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) January 9, 2022
Riley McGree is a midfielder. Midfield, especially central, is an area that’s lacked depth for a few years now. Looks like Ange has went, hoi Celtic, Calmac playing 70 times a season isn’t a good thing.
— Timothy Leary (@sharko67) January 9, 2022
I promise i am not Ange’s 🔥 account. https://t.co/b1s9uoAbmZ
— Khalil Kayal (@khalilkayalKK) January 9, 2022
Quietly and efficiently going about our business this window. A nice change of pace. https://t.co/b6tTadN55j
— The Cynic (@90MinuteCynic) January 9, 2022
You remember a name like Riley McGree, first linked to Celtic in November 2017 when he was with Adelaide United, Simon Jones of Daily Mail is very confident that it is happening.https://t.co/8jxMLrJIqx
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) January 9, 2022
🇦🇺 | Celtic are reportedly on the verge of signing 23 year old Australian international Riley McGree.
Could this spell the end of Ismaila Soro🤔 pic.twitter.com/AscOqkchAu
— The Parkhead Faithful (@TheParkheadF) January 9, 2022
