It’s always a bit odd when news starts to filter out towards the end of the transfer window about things that didn’t happen.
In most walks of life simply stating things that didn’t happen isn’t news, but football is a bit different, and this shows that Celtic did show some serious ambition in the January window.
A report from Wales Online reported on a BBC interview with Cardiff City boss Neil Harris and he spoke about what he expected from Josh Murphy for the rest of the season.
READ MORE: Morelos Interview Pulled as Sky Sports cave in to Celtic Pressure
The most interesting part of this from a Celtic point of view is where the story mentions that they had a loan bid rejected by Cardiff for the former Norwich City man.
It’s not clear exactly how much money was involved in the offer, it’s suggested that it would’ve been a loan move with an option to buy. It’s also worth noting that the report says Cardiff paid £11m to sign him, so you have to think that a sizeable fee would’ve been needed.
It’s hard to say if Murphy would’ve been a huge improvement on the current squad, he’s clearly talented and has plenty of pace, but some of Harris’ comments do suggest Lenny might’ve dodged a bullet here.
He said: “He divides opinion within the fan base, I get that all the time when I’m stopped in coffee shops or supermarkets. He divides opinion. That is ultimately what he is as a wide player.”
“When he’s hot, like he was against Reading, he’s unplayable. And when he’s not and when it doesn’t quite come off for him, you can question how much he’s done on the pitch. But that is the sort of player he is.”
Celtic have lacked some inspiration at times and some added quality would certainly be welcome, but a frustrating and streaky wide player isn’t what’s needed for the title run in.
It’s interesting to hear who the club were trying to sign in January, and it means his name will almost inevitably crop up again in the future.
