Kevin Stewart Would Be A Good Signing For Celtic And Here’s Why
Brendan Rodgers should raid his old club Liverpool for 23-year-old defensive midfield player Kevin Stewart this summer, and it may not be such a bad idea.
Having failed to make the grade at Tottenham as a youth player, Stewart was picked up by Liverpool on a free transfer on the grounds that he definitely has talent and just that it needs to be nurtured. To gain experience, Stewart was sent out on loan to Cheltenham, Burton, and Swindon, before he eventually made his Liverpool debut in the 2015/16 season.
Having only been afforded 11 Premier League appearances though, it seems Stewart’s time is up at Anfield. His transfer fee is not likely to be exorbitant, so Celtic can well take a chance on him.
There is a danger that midfielder Stuart Armstrong could leave the club this summer and, more importantly, defensive midfield mainstay Scott Brown is not getting any younger and may well miss several domestic games in order to remain fresh for Old Firm and European matches.
Stewart would not replace the forward-surging, goal scoring exploits of Armstrong, but he would definitely prove to be either an excellent partner for Scott Brown or a potential replacement in the engine room when injuries, suspensions, and fatigue come along.
With this in mind, Celtic definitely need reinforcements and Stewart could fit the bill. For his part, Stewart needs to act now. Being afforded just 18 minutes of Premier League football from the bench this season, he must know by now that it is not going to happen for him at Liverpool and at 23, he cannot waste what could turn out to be the best next few years of his career.
Whoever purchases Stewart will be receiving a midfielder of some presence. Stewart could be rather a surprise package in Scotland and in Europe next season with opposition coaches and scouts knowing precious little about him. Hence, they would struggle to limit his effect.
Along with that enigma comes experience, at least in some form. In terms of Premier League, League One, League Two and first team cup competitions Stewart is heading towards 50 professional appearances now and so knows his way around. This, allied with arriving from a club with Liverpool’s traditions and his time under Jurgen Klopp makes him a reasonably attractive prospect.
Taking a chance on Stewart may well push Celtic forward in Europe. Even if Stewart can’t manage to play in European competitions, he would definitely give them the midfield options they need domestically to repel the challenge Rangers may pose to their Premiership dominance in 2017/18.