Lee Boyer has confirmed that Celtic have had a bid for Alfie Doughy.
The Charlton boss is trying to hold the club together with doubts over their ownership on the back of relegation from the championship.
Celtic’s interest in Doughty emerged over the weekend but from his managers comments he seems to be more of a winger than left-back or left-sided wing-back.
Under Nicky Hammond Celtic’s scouting appears to have been concentrated on the English market with Lee O’Connor, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Afolabi brought in last summer.
Left-back or left-wing back appears to be a position that Celtic are keen to strengthen but there are a number of obstacles such as who ultimately makes decisions at Charlton before any business can be completed.
Boyer told London News on Line:
We did turn down an offer from Celtic and they were at the game at the weekend, from what I understand but we’ve not heard anything since.
In an ideal world, and this is just me speaking on how I would advise Alfie, it would be for him to sign another deal and do another year – do a full season with us.
He only came into the side at a stage later in last season. He did well. He gets himself into great positions – like when he went through against AFC Wimbledon and on Saturday – but it is his end product that he has to work on.
If he stays with us for another season he will improve more, because he has improved lots since he has been with us.
I know what agents are like – they want to take them out. They think about what can be earned money-wise and not about the kid’s development – because he needs developing.
So I think he should stay, sign and do a full season with us – improve more and then see what is on the table for him. Because if he goes somewhere now the likelihood is he ain’t really going to play. He isn’t going to benefit from that.
Alfie will be different to Dillon [Phillips] because a bit like Lyle [Taylor] when he was in his last year, if we choose not to sell you then that’s our choice.
With Jonny Hayes released and Boli Bolingoli suspended by the SFA Taylor is the only left sided defender currently available to Neil Lennon.
Celtic have also been linked with Mitchell Bakker of Paris Saint Germain and Barry Douglas of Leeds United.
So far in this window Celtic have brought in Moi Elyounoussi and Shane Duffy on loan with Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and David Turnbull signed on permanent contracts.
