Report claims Celtic midfielder is on the brink of EPL move

Celtic’s Academy appears to be on the brink of losing another player to the EPL.

Midfielder Aidan Borland is believed to be on his way to Aston Villa, the midfielder turns 16 on April 25 which is the earliest that the deal can go through.

Borland is a regular in the Scotland u-16 side, playing against Cyprus this week, with that squad appearing to be the perfect recruitment ground for EPL clubs who due to Brexit now have difficulties signing players from across Europe.

The reliable Scott Burns of the Daily Record reports:

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal for Celtic’s rising star Aidan Borland.

The Midlands club are in pole position to land the talented teenager. Celtic have offered the youngster professional forms but it looks like he will be heading to the Midlands. Villa have a track record of moving for Scottish talent, having signed Rory Wilson from Rangers and Kerr Smith from Dundee United.

The Hoops would be entitled to training compensation but Villa are likely to try and strike a deal which will include future add-ons.

Scotland youth cap Borland has impressed coming through the age groups but looks to be the next Celtic academy graduate who sees their future south of the border. Celtic lost Ben Doak to Liverpool and keeper Rory Mahaday to Premier League rivals Leeds United.

Borland would need to agree a scholar contract and then to sign professional forms when he turns 17 if he makes the switch to Villa Park.

Finance will play a significant part in Borland’s decision but Villa and other clubs have clear pathways to first team football that Celtic can’t compete with.

With an u-23 league promising players in their late teens can get regular competitive football with a well established network of clubs to go out on loan to.

Since the demise of the SPL Reserve League 15 years ago Celtic have been struggling to find a way to develop their Academy players into the first team squad.

Celtic Colts have played in the Lowland League for the last two seasons but matches against Edinburgh University, Caledonian Braves and Cumbernauld Colts are unlikely to develop first team players.

A Conference League involving the top three clubs from the Lowland and Highland Leagues plus four reserve sides from the SPFL Premiership doesn’t seem to be much of an improvement.

CLICK HERE for Borland’s SFA profile.