Liverpool have unwittingly made Celtic’s last 48 hours a living hell by scuppering a deal for Glasgow-bound Ben Davies at the last minute. The Preston North End defender, 25, had reportedly agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Bhoys’ earlier last week, but having had an injury crisis at the heart of their defence – including the long-term injury of ex-Hoop Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool have swept Davies away from under Lennon’s feet to add misery to an already tumultuous season.
And if that wasn’t enough schadenfreude, Liverpool have gone one step further and added to Celtic’s transfer window woes by signing promising young keeper Liam Hughes from the youth system at Lennoxtown.
Liverpool have completed the signing of 19-year-old goalkeeper Liam Hughes from Celtic. One for the U23 setup.#LFC pic.twitter.com/BEGM2FgZEc
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) February 1, 2021
Hughes, who was signed from Northern Irish outfit Dungannon Swifts in 2018, recently graduated from Celtic’s under-19 team to the reserve squad and excelled as such – even featuring on the bench when Craig Gordon was injured throughout periods of last season. However, after rejecting a new contract from Celtic, the six-time European champions have swooped to take the Northern Irishman on their books.
With Adrian faltering at Liverpool, young gun Caohimhin Kelleher has been promoted to the first side as a result of his mishaps, which potentially paves a way to the starting berth in the youth sides – which Hughes has gleefully taken, despite the immense competition from the rest of the current youth keepers.
It is a shame to see a promising young player stolen from the grasp of our insane youth academy, but we can only wish Hughes the best of luck from here on in – and wonder what his career at Celtic Park may have been had he stayed.
Losing a youngster who more than likely won’t ever be given a chance is hardly a loss.
He’ll now more try an likely disappear into the swamp of ‘promising youngsters’ in the epl.