Celtic would strike gold by completing a move for this explosive Belgian left-back before deadline day

Celtic should complete a loan deal for Gideon Mensah before the deadline

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are weighing up a move for Red Bull Salzburg left-back Gideon Mensah, with manager Neil Lennon looking to add more depth to his options of the left-hand side of the backline. 

Celtic are currently light in the left-back department following the departure of Kieran Tierney to Arsenal earlier this summer. 

New signing Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo has filled in the void admirably and, while he has looked somewhat of a suspect defensively, the Belgian has earned plenty of plaudits for his pace, energy and link-up play further up the pitch early in the campaign. 

However, The Scottish Sun understands that Lennon is keen to provide Bolingoli-Mbombo will more competition and the manager has now set his sights on landing the promising 21-year-old Ghanaian U-23 international on a season-long loan deal from the Austrian heavyweights. 

The same report suggests that Mensah is not the only left-back on Celtic’s radar, though, with the Hoops also making an arduous attempt to shore up their backline with the acquisition of Scottish international Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock. 

Indeed, the arrival of a top-quality homegrown talent like Taylor is bound to impress the fans at Parkhead but it is doubtful whether Kilmarnock would really want to cash in on one of the brightest prospects to have come through their academy in recent times. 

With that in mind, Celtic have apparently prepared a shortlist of alternatives should a deal for No.1 target Taylor fail to materialize before the closure of the European transfer window on September 2, with a loan deal for Gideon Mensah seemingly on the cards for Lennon to strengthen his left-back options. 

Mensah rose through the youth ranks of WAFA in his homeland Ghana before making a move to Europe with Austrian second-tier outfit Liefering in 2016.

His promising displays earned him a move to giants RB Salzburg in 2017, although he is yet to make his senior professional bow for his parent club, having spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at fellow Austrian Bundesliga side SK Sturm Graz. 

Not much is known about the left-back, given his lack of exposure at the highest level, however, his links with Barcelona certainly lies testament to his talent and potential.

It is still not clear whether the Hoops are simply looking at a loan move for the 21-year-old or they are interested in negotiating a loan deal with an option to make it permanent.

However, the Hoops need to be decisive and make a call soon, with the continental transfer deadline knocking on the door. 

Celtic have enjoyed a solid start to the season on the domestic front, having won each of their first three fixtures and they are currently brimming with confidence ahead of the first Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday.

As far as their European campaign is concerned, Lennon’s side crashed out of the UEFA Champions League but their dreams of playing in Europe are still very much intact, with the Hoops heading into the second leg of Europa League playoffs against Swedish side AIK away from home with a two-goal advantage. 

To Read More Celtic News, Click Here:- Latest Celtic News

All in all, Celtic need adequate depth in their squad to excel on all fronts and ensure that they continue their unparalleled domestic dominance over arch-rivals Rangers.

With that in mind, a loan move for Mensah could potentially solve a key issue in a crucial area of the pitch for the ‘treble treble’ winners.