Celtic FC Opinion: Why the Hoops should make a move for Liam Lindsay?
According to a report from the Scottish Sun, Celtic are one among the host of clubs interested in a £5million summer swoop for Barnsley defender Liam Lindsay. Championship sides Leeds United, Stoke City and Aston Villa as well as Premier League club Brighton are also weighing up a move for the 23-year-old.
Liam Lindsay has played a major role for Barnsley this season as they look to secure promotion back to the Championship. He has made 35 appearances for the League One outfit so far this campaign and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed.
The defender is contracted with Barnsley until 2020. Having already attracted a lot of interest, Celtic should make Lindsay’s signing one of the priorities this summer.
Celtic are cruising towards their eighth successive Scottish Premiership title, having already established a ten-point lead at the top of the table.
The Hoops are currently under the management of interim manager Neil Lennon, who replaced Brendan Rodgers at the start of this month. Lennon will look to prove himself again and get the permanent keys of the club.
Should Lennon get the full-time job, he should shore up his defence knowing that Celtic will lose a couple of central defenders in the summer.
Dedryck Boyata is set to leave the club at the end of his contract in June, while Filip Benkovic will head back to Leicester at the end of the season. That will leave Lennon with only Jozo Simunovic, Jack Hendry and Kristoffer Ajer.
Hence, to avoid a potential burnout of options and also perform well in the Champions League, the Hoops should get a deal done for Liam Lindsay.
A youth product of Scottish club Partick Thistle, he rose to prominence with his boyhood club and was named in the 2016-17 Scottish Premiership Team of the Season. Since joining Barnsley, the 23-year-old has done extremely well and is currently one of the best defenders in League One.
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Standing at 6ft 3in, Lindsay is an asset to have on both ends of the pitch. The Scotsman is a physical, tough-tackling defender that is a leader at the back.
He generally keeps his calm in tense situations and guides the team accordingly. Formerly of Partick Thistle, the 23-year-old is a defender with high potential and certainly would enjoy a lot of success at Parkhead.
Conclusion
Celtic desperately need defensive reinforcements in the summer following their defenders’ shaky performances this season. Lindsay, who has been magnificent at the back for Barnsley in the League One, could really be a long-term solution for the Bhoys’ defensive conundrum.
