First I’ve heard of it- reaction to Celtic’s Clark move

John Eustace has given a non-committal answer to speculation linking Bobby Clark with Celtic.

The midfielder is currently on loan at Derby County but a report in The Times claimed that he would be joining Celtic in January for £6m.

Unusually the Times report was very factual, it wasn’t a case of monitoring events or keeping tabs.

Definite details, a transfer fee and a date.

Celtic rarely have players signed up for January 1. Deals 10 weeks in advance of the window open are unknown.

Eustace has taken Clark on loan from RB Salzburg, planning for the full season with a talent that is almost certainly out of Derby’s price range.

A successful loan inevitably attracts interest from elsewhere.

The BBC reports:

It’s the first I’ve heard of it – we don’t want to lose him because we brought him in to help develop him and give him a platform to perform and he’s certainly done that up until now.

It’s great that big clubs like Celtic are looking at him but we certainly don’t want him to go there – but January is a long way away and I’m not worried about that so let’s keep giving him some important minutes and see how his performances are between now and then.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to give a similar stock reply when he is questioned on the issue at today’s media conference.

Celtic currently have six midfielders competing for three places. If Callum McGregor is removed it leaves five competing for two places.

There has been speculation about midfielders departing. Reo Hatate and Arne Engels have been linked with moves away.

Other areas of the team appear to be in greater need of strengthening such as the right wing and striker positions.

Planning in advance will be welcomed by most fans after so many Deadline Day scrambles to get deals completed.

BACKGROUND

Clark came through the Liverpool Academy, making 14 first team appearances as a teenager.

When Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp a £10m transfer was agreed with RB Salzburg, a club known for carrying out their homework on deals.

Moving to Austria as a teenager is a major decision. Being a regular in the Derby team at the age of 20 is a very decent achievement.

Clark has been capped by England up to u-20 level.