Both Celtic and theRangers have been linked with Liverpool left-back Owen Beck who has just been recalled by the Premier League side from his loan spell at Dundee, where he has perhaps been the stand-out left back in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Indeed in early September, ahead of Dundee’s visit to Celtic Park, The Celtic Star flagged up Owen Beck as a possible Celtic signing for the January transfer window and according to a report in The Times today, both Celtic and theRangers have approached Liverpool for the player with Celtic looking for a permanent move while the hard-up Ibrox outfit looking for a loan deal.

It appears that Jurgen Klopp is reluctant to sanction a deal at the moment due to needing cover for the injured pair of Andy Robertson and Konstantinos Tsimakas. However the Scotland captain in close to a return and that could yet open the door for a January move to Glasgow for Beck.

Celtic are clearly on the look-out for a left-back replacement for Argentinian Alexandro Bernabei who appears to be heading for the exit door at Lennoxtown this month, with interest from Italy and his homeland. Bernabei has failed to make an impact this season at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers and Beck could be a perfect replacement and indeed an upgrade.

Following his recall to Anfield, Beck posted this message on social media: “I just wanted to thank everyone at Dundee FC for making my time so special. The coaching staff, my team mates, the fans and everyone else who supported me during my time at the club. It was a great experience and one I will remember for the rest of my career. Dundee will always have a place in my heart and I wish you all the very best for the rest of the season.“

Here’s a reminder of article on The Celtic Star dated 8 September 2023, ahead of the Celtic v Dundee match at Celtic Park…

Liverpool’s Owen Beck, on loan at Dundee, could solve Celtic’s left-back problem…

26th July 2023 Dens Park, Dundee, Viaplay Cup , Dundee versus Dumbarton Owen Beck of Dundee during the warm up Photo ActionPlus David Young

Celtic’s search for new left back addition to the squad proved to be unsuccessful in the summer transfer window and is likely to be a top priority in the January transfer window.

Mark Lawwell and his recruitment team clearly don’t need any assistance from us given the excellent job that they are doing but nevertheless it’s well worth dropping in a name who might suit Celtic perfectly and we can actually all get a chance to see him for ourselves next Saturday when the Scottish Premiership resumes after the international break.

26th July 2023 Dens Park, Dundee, Scottish Viaplay Cup , Dundee versus Dumbarton Owen Beck arrives at the Kilmac Stadium for the match. Photo ActionPlus David Young

Celtic are at home to Dundee on Saturday 16 September with a 3pm kick-off and many Celtic fans are already counting down the hours for that one. Newly promoted Dundee – last season’s Championship winners – have made a decent start to the first season back in the Scottish Premiership and like Kilmarnock the year before will be aiming for survival and then look to build from there.

Dundee currently are sitting mid-table in 6th spot with five points after their opening four games and are just a point behind both Ross County and theRangers. That battle for the top six spot is already looking competitive.

The stand-out player for Dundee this season is their 21 year old left back Owen Beck who is currently on a season long loan spell from Liverpool with the Dens Park club and has been outstanding so far.

2nd September 2023 McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership , St Johnstone versus Dundee Owen Beck of Dundee takes on Dara Costelloe of St Johnstone. Photo ActionPlus David Young

Here’s what the official Liverpool FC website says about the player:

Owen Beck arrived at the Liverpool FC Academy from Stoke City at U13 level and has gone on to represent Jürgen Klopp’s senior team.

The forward-thinking left-back broke into the U18s side in the 2019-20 season and was also a part of the Reds’ U19 UEFA Youth League squad.

12th August 2023 St Mirren Park, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Dundee Owen Beck of Dundee challenges for the ball with Conor McMenamin of St Mirren. Photo ActionPlus David Young

Beck, a Wales youth international, signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in June 2020 and penned fresh terms in July 2021 while away with the seniors for pre-season, having enjoyed a successful campaign with the U23s in 2020-21.

He impressed for the U23s with his ability to get forward and impact play in the final third of the pitch, with highlights including a hat-trick of assists against Tottenham Hotspur at Kirkby in December and an outstanding late winner over Brighton & Hove Albion in April, a game in which he also set up two goals.

12th August 2023 St Mirren Park, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Dundee Owen Beck of Dundee shows dejection at the end of the match Photo ActionPlus David Young

Beck made his professional debut in 2021-22 when he came off the bench during the Carabao Cup tie at Preston North End and featured versus Leicester City in the same competition as Liverpool went on to win the trophy.

The full-back initially made a loan move to Famalicao in Portugal’s top flight in the summer of 2022, before also spending time at Bolton Wanderers. His development will continue with a season-long loan at Scottish Premiership side Dundee in 2023-24.

Karlsruher SC v Liverpool FC – Pre-Season Friendly KARLSRUHE, GERMANY – JULY 19: Ben Doak of Liverpool (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Beck, whose great uncle is the Liverpool legend Ian Rush, is getting much needed first team experience at Dundee but even with that he might find it difficult to break into the Liverpool first team on a return to Anfield. Maybe Celtic have the chance to return the Ben Doak favour here by enticing the Welsh Under 21 international left-back to Paradise.

Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer 04 Leverkusen is challenged by Josip Juranovic of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic FC at BayArena on November 25, 2021 (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

The last time Celtic recruited a full back from a Premier League Academy was Jeremie Frimpong and that one worked out rather well when Bayer Leverkusen came calling.

Earlier today sources at Dundee were raving about the boy Owen Beck with the expectation being that he’ll be regarded as the best left back in the Scottish premiership this year and a clear early front runner for Dundee’s Player of the Year.

So next Saturday keep your eye on the Dundee left back and see for yourselves what you think. Might be something in it, Mark, if you’re reading…