Keith Wyness: Multiple Celtic stars wanted by Premier League clubs
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Premier League clubs will always “have an eye” on top-performing Celtic stars.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the Hoops’ pedigree of readying players for English football means they have an “advantage” over rivals Rangers.
Virgil van Dijk, Kieran Tierney, Victor Wanyama and Kristoffer Ajer are among the names to leave Celtic and succeed in the Premier League in the last decade, with Matt O’Riley hoping to join that list following his summer move to Brighton.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (18 November) that Celtic are bracing for offers for Nicolas Kuhn, 24, amid growing interest from English clubs.
The winger, who has notched ten goals and 11 assists in 17 appearances this term, is attracting attention with his dazzling performances.
Celtic are ‘academy’ for Premier League clubs, says Wyness
Wyness claimed Celtic serve as an “academy” of sorts for Premier League clubs.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Celtic have the advantage over Rangers because there are many players who have gone on to better things in the past.
“Henrik Larsson is the best example, with Matt O’Riley the latest one to go on to the Premier League.
“These players have been tested in a reasonably tough league and play some big matches, with of course the European experience as well.
“It’s as close as you can get, for Premier League clubs, to having a good academy on the doorstep.
“Celtic are a big club who play big games, so clubs have always got an eye on their squad – because they also seem to buy well.
“Recruitment has been very good.”
In other news, insider names leader in Celtic and Rangers transfer race for midfield star.
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