St Johnstone make loan move for Celtic striker

St Johnstone are hoping to sign Celtic striker James Keatings on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old was a prolific scorer for Celtic’s u-19 side last season until he suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the start of April.

Keats wasn’t expected to be back in action until March but returned to play for the Celtic development squad before Christmas and scored twice in a bounce game against St Johnstone earlier this month.

The Perth side have been long term admirers of the striker with new boss Steve Lomas keen to add to his striking options aware that Francisco Sandaza could be sold before the transfer window closes.

With no formal reserve league Celtic are keen to see how Keatings copes with regular first team football.

Earlier this week St Johnstone released striker Sam Parkin with Lomas looking to put his own stamp on the club. Earlier this month St Johnstone were able to extend Cillian Sheridan’s loan deal from CSKA Sofia.

If the deal goes through Keatings could make his St Johnstone debut on away to Motherwell on Saturday.

Keatings, who recently turned 20, has still to make his first team debut for Celtic but was on the bench for the recent victory over Dundee United.

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