Celtic Opinion: Laim Lindsay would be a good signing for the Hoops
According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic have set their sights on Barnsley centre-back Liam Lindsay in a bid to bolster their defensive options in the summer.
Celtic, though, are not alone in the race to sign the Scottish defender, with Championship sides Leeds United, Aston Villa and Stoke City, as well as Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion weighing up a move for the 23-year-old. (h/t Sun)
Lindsay has been in fine form form Barnsley in the League One this season, playing a key role in his team’s surge for promotion back to the Championship.
The 23-year-old has made a total of 35 appearances for Barnsley in the league and has been an integral part of a backline that has shipped only 28 goals in 39 games, the best defensive record in the third tier.
His consistently impressive performances haven’t eluded the eyes of the bigger clubs and Lindsay is likely to be a hot property in the summer, with a number of Championship clubs and now Celtic keeping tabs on the 6ft. 3 inch towering centre-back.
A youth product of Scottish club Partick Thistle, Lindsay rose to prominence with his boyhood club and was the only player outside Celtic and Aberdeen to be named in the 2016-17 Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.
The youngster also impressed for Barnsley last season in the Championship but his heroics weren’t enough to save the club from relegation.
To put things into perspective, Lindsay’s tag of being a homegrown talent in Scotland coupled with his experience of playing in the Championship and League One should make him an exciting proposition for Celtic.
The Hoops are cruising to yet another domestic title this season but they will have plenty of thinking to do in the summer transfer window.
While deciding on the future of in-form Oliver Burke and signing a replacement for Mikael Lustig at right remain high on the priority list, they will also need to dip into the transfer window to sign a new centre-back.
Dedryck Boyata is out of contract in the summer while Filip Benkovic is set to return to his parent club Leicester City, which would leave manager Neil Lennon with Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer as the only options at the heart of the defence.
A tall and physically imposing defender, Lindsay has refined his game a lot in recent years, cutting out the rough tackles, improving his composure and working on his ball-playing abilities.
Lindsay averaged 1.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 4.5 aerial duels, 4.6 successful long passes and 6 clearances per game in the 2017-18 season in the Championship.
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Going by his current form, Lindsay won’t be short of suitors in the summer and Celtic would pull off a shrewd move by bringing the homegrown talent back to the country.
The promise of European football might play a role in tempting the player to snub other options in favour of a move to Parkhead.