Exclusive: Kevin Phillips claims Celtic may be signing their own Jermain Defoe
Kevin Phillips has claimed Charlie Austin could follow in the footsteps of Jermain Defoe with a sensational move to Celtic.
The former Sunderland and West Brom striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, urged the 30-year-old to realise a long-held ambition by playing for the Glasgow giants.
Speaking to the Open Goal Podcast, Austin admitted he would be open to the idea of leaving West Brom to play in Scotland if the opportunity presented itself.
The striker spoke of how he hoped a move to Parkhead would materialise in 2013 after Neil Lennon suggested he was looking at signing him.
Austin has one-year left on his deal at The Hawthorns have joined from Southampton in a £4million deal last summer.
When asked by Football Insider if a move would suit both club and player, Phillips said: “Playing in Celtic’s side you are going to get more chances and you will be winning games week in, week out.
“Charlie can score, he is a goalscorer. He is an old-fashioned goalscorer.
“Jermain is top-class but even he, at 37, is scoring for fun up there.
“I think it would be a good move for Charlie, to go and be successful and challenge for and win titles, play European football – it would be hard to turn down. I think it could be a move for him.”
Austin has scored nine goals in 30 appearances under Slaven Bilic this season but has been deployed primarily as a substitute.
The former Southampton striker may be surplus to requirements if the Baggies gain promotion and with the future of Odsonne Edouard uncertain, Austin could be brought in by Neil Lennon to fill the void.
In other Celtic news, Alan Hutton has told Football Insider ex-Everton and Stoke man facing “huge pressure” at Parkhead.