After starting every SPFL match so far this season Declan Gallagher was missing from the Motherwell side that faced Dundee United tonight.
On January 4 the Daily Record broke the news that the defender was looking to move on before his 25th SPFL appearance which would trigger a 12 month extension on his contract. The report claimed that a move to Celtic was the preferred option.
Gallagher has continued to captain Motherwell under new boss Graham Alexander, last week at Ross County he hit appearance number 24.
Wheres @declang31 is he not playing anymore so as not to trigger an extension
— steven graham (@steven_coyw) February 3, 2021
Come on boys?????? pic.twitter.com/qI3jxQUTqG
— Declan Gallagher (@declang31) February 3, 2021
I’m guessing Gallagher is signing a pre contract with another club then ?????
— Ross Scanlan ?? (@rossscanlan93) February 3, 2021
If he doesn’t play for the rest of the season then he won’t get into the Euros squad so I think all the guys quick to jump in with these accusations are off the mark.
— Mark Ross (@markpross) February 3, 2021
There could very well be a perfectly innocent reason for missing his first game of the season, if it is contract related he will be taking a massive gamble with his career.
Under Steve Clarke the one-time Celtic youth player has become a first pick in the Scotland side, starting the critical Euro 2020 Play Off time away to Serbia ahead of Liam Cooper and Scott McKenna.
Being involved in the European Championships could raise his profile and value but if he was to miss the remainder of this season his options could be much more limited.
At half time tonight Motherwell were leading 2-0 against Dundee United, on Saturday they travel to face Celtic.