English Premier League club Leeds United enjoyed a fabulous return to the top flight last season, but Marco Bielsa is not a man to rest on his laurels and has now reportedly set his sights on Celtic’s talented left back Matthew Anderson.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds have made a bid for Anderson, 17, who signed for the Hoops last January after impressing scouts with his performances for Blantyre Soccer Academy. A Scotland international at U16 level, the full back is currently part of Celtic’s U18s team, who are coached by former Leeds and Celtic defender Darren O’Dea.
Tipped to follow in Kieran Tierney’s footsteps, by coaches at Blantyre Soccer Academy, the youngster has attracted a lot of attention in recent months. The Bhoys will be hoping to keep hold of the player and progress him to the first team. However, it has become increasingly difficult to keep hold of young talents when clubs from the big leagues come calling. Indeed, Barry Hepburn and Liam Morrison both swapped Celtic for Bayern Munich U17s in recent times, whilst there has been a constant battle to keep hold of Karamoko Dembele.
Consistent interest in Celtic’s young players suggests that the club’s Academy is doing something right, but it is a concern that many of these teenagers are being prized away before reaching the first team.