Millwall boss confirms Daniel Kelly January deal

Millwall manager Neil Harris confirmed after his side’s 1-0 victory over Portsmouth that Celtic youngster Daniel Kelly will play for the Lions when his contract with the Hoops expires in January.

It was reported earlier today that Kelly was set to join the London side after failing to sign a new contract with the Scottish champions. Brendan Rodgers has been quoted as saying he thought the deal was satisfactory, but Kelly thought otherwise.

With Rodgers unwilling to give a player on their way out first-team opportunities, he will play his football in the Lowland League for the remainder of the year.

When his contract expires on 31 December 2024, he will officially join the English Championship outfit.

What’s surprising is that Kelly’s agent doesn’t discuss with Neil Harris the benefits of getting the player in now as opposed to January. That would suit all parties surely, given where things are. Daniel Kelly will tread water in the lowland league, and may or may not be motivated, if he’s given a game.

Meanwhile Millwall could surely do with the player now rather than in January. As with the case with Rocco Vata Celtic will be entitled to a cross border development fee.

Celtic want a fee of around £500,000 plus sell-on bonuses to allow the player to leave this summer – that’s higher than the £275,000 they will receive in January from a development fee. The decision is now Millwall’s to make.

In other news, Alistair Johnston gave insight into Nicolas Kuhn’s amazing start to the campaign.

Meanwhile it was confirmed earlier this evening that Celtic will be the one and only Scottish club in the Champions League this season. Kris Boyd takes up the story…