Celtic are reported to have turned to Ecuador to bolster their central defence.
Signing a teenager from another continent would normally seem to be a far fetched theory but the story comes from David Friel in The Sun who broke the news in February that Neil Lennon was resigning as manager. Ten hours later came the stock market announcement.
Central defence would appear to be an area in urgent need of strengthening but with Celtic needing to hit the ground running Hincapie has more of a project feel to his profile.
The Sun claims:
CELTIC are eyeing £3.5million-rated Ecuador wonderkid Piero Hincapie — ahead of his weekend showdown with Neymar.
SunSport understands the Hoops’ search for new central defenders has taken them to the Copa America for a look at the 19-year-old.
Hincapie, who plays his club football in Argentina’s top flight with Talleres de Cordoba, has started all three of Ecuador’s games in the finals in Brazil this month.
He has shone against Colombia, Venezuela and Peru, even though his nation are still searching for a first win and are unlikely to qualify beyond the group stages.
He will now square up to the hosts and favourites on Sunday and will face a star-studded forward line of Neymar, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino. Hincapie has also been scouted by Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.
Friel’s track record suggests that the interest from Celtic is genuine but surely any one of St Johnstone’s three central defenders would be more likely to be successful.
Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart showed over the course of last season that they are all improving month by month and understand the Scottish game.
Either or all three could go straight into the Celtic side and make an improvement with far less risk than signing a South American teenager.
CLICK HERE for Hincapie Transfermarkt profile.
Colombia number 3
