News that Mark McKenzie is lose to joining Genk didn’t go down well with Celtic fans.
Very few have watched the Philadelphia Union defender in action but the pedigree is good and the need to strengthen fairly obvious.
Against Dundee United today Neil Lennon has Chris Jullien and Shane Duffy back in contention for a place but the defensive options net summer could be very different.
Duffy’s loan spell from Brighton will be completed while Kris Ajer looks very likely to be sold rather than enter the final year of his contract.
There could be work permit issues in getting a deal for McKenzie but as a regular in the USA u-20 side the ase for a permit would be easier than the Andrew Gutman or Manny Pere deals that has resulted in both players spending two years out on loan.
At yesterday’s media conference Neil Lennon played down expectations of a glut of transfer business net month. At the moment the Celtic squad appears strong in numbers but once the loan players return and decisions are taken on the players with a year left on their contract the situation could be vastly different.
Earlier this month Anthony Joseph interviewed McKenzie where he spoke positively about a possible move to Celtic, yesterday the news was less welcoming
Belgian side KRC Genk have made a £3.6million bid for Philadelphia Union centre-back Mark McMcKenzie.
The USA international, 21, has been attracting interest from Europe, including Celtic and clubs in the English Premier League.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) December 29, 2020
Are you trying to ruin my Christmas and new year period Anthony?
— ciarán. (@NotoriousBAG_) December 29, 2020
Anthony you’re ruining my life one tweet at a time mate.?
— Kev Murray (@KevMurrayOff) December 29, 2020
You snooze you lose????
— Juicy J (@JohnnyXIAR) December 29, 2020
Not if they don’t bid! And could well be priced out now. They had a great chance in the summer to sign him for significantly less than that, but opted to go for Shane Duffy on loan.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) December 29, 2020
Not if they don’t bid! And could well be priced out now. They had a great chance in the summer to sign him for significantly less than that, but opted to go for Shane Duffy on loan.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) December 29, 2020
We’ll put in a £300,000 bid in a few days to test the water. Then we’ll up it to £350,000 in a ‘take it or leave it’ showdown.
— Karen Thornton (@readlearnhelp) December 29, 2020
@markmckenzie4_ would have been great for @CelticFC and would have developed brilliantly in the Scottish PL ?? Lets hope Celtic haven’t messed up another Transfer! Could have bought him for half that price in the summer!! #CelticFC
— @CiaránShev (@CiaranShevlin) December 29, 2020
Ajer will be away in the summer and can’t think we’ll sign Duffy on a permanent deal. Need to start building for next season now.
— John Duncan (@jlduncan1980) December 29, 2020