Why Josef Bursik could be a good long-term prospect for Celtic

According to claims from Football Insider, as relayed by the Stoke Sentinel, Celtic have been credited with an interest in teenage Stoke City shot-stopper, Josef Bursik, who is currently out on loan at Accrington Stanley in EFL League One. 

Born in Lambeth, Bursik started his footballing education at AFC Wimbledon before moving on to join Stoke City in the summer of 2017. Having previously gained exposure on loan at non-league sides, Hednesford Town and AFC Telford United, the 19-year-old has spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley in League One this term, largely serving as a deputy.

Having impressed in a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup tie in midweek, Bursik made his professional league debut for Accrington in a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth last Saturday and impressed with a brilliant double save. 

An England U-20 international, Bursik has also featured for Stoke City at the U-23 level but he is yet to make his senior professional debut for the Potters. The 19-year-old is out of contract at the bet 365 Stadium at the end of the ongoing season and his long-term future continues to be up in the air. 

Now, as per the report from Football Insider (h/t Stoke Sentinel), Celtic are exploring the possibility of securing the services of Josef Bursik on a cut-price deal during the mid-season trading period in January, although the Hoops are expected to face competition from some unnamed Premier League clubs. 

Meanwhile, Celtic are currently flying high on all fronts following a brilliant first half of the campaign under the stewardship of Neil Lennon, who has already guided the Hoops to the Betfred Cup crown and the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League. 

The reigning champions are also a couple of points clear of Rangers atop the domestic standings, meaning that Celtic could well be set for yet another trophy-laden season this time around after their incredible ‘Treble treble’ feat the last term.

To that end, the Hoops don’t really need to make wholesale changes to their squad in January, given that they look well-stocked in almost every department. However, if Lennon does opt to dip into the market, a reliable back-up to star striker Odsonee Edouard, as well as a new centre-back or a right-back, could possibly fit the bill at Parkhead.

To put things into perspective, it is quite understandable that Celtic are, indeed, looking at Josef Bursik as a long-term prospect rather than someone who could come in and make an immediate impact on their first-team ranks. 

Fraser Forster’s return to Celtic on loan from Southampton has proven to be a massive boost for the reigning champions, however, with 36-year-old Craig Gordon out of contract in 2020, the Hoops certainly need to start planning for the long-term as far as the goalkeeping department is concerned. 

Scott Bain put pen to paper on a new long-term deal earlier in the year and while he has proven himself to be a handy option between the sticks, Celtic will surely need to provide him with some competition when Forster and Gordon depart. 

Verdict

Josef Bursik has only just started to make waves with his impressive displays in the English third-tier but his status as a highly-rated England U-20 international means that he could well evolve into a future star at Parkhead. 

Celtic roped in bright emerging talents like Lee O’Connor, Luca Connell, Jonathan Afolabi and Jeremie Frimpong from south of the border this past summer and the abrupt rise to prominence of Frimpong in the first-team ranks should encourage the Hoops to scour the English market for up and coming prospects. 

Bursik certainly fits the bill in that regard and a potential deal in January is by no means beyond the realms of possibility, with Celtic having already built a good working relationship with Stoke City. 

Moritz Bauer joined the Hoops on loan from the bet 365 Stadium back in the summer while Celtic have also been linked with Stoke hitman Tyrese Campbell, who, like Bursik, is out of contract in 2020.

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All in all, Celtic completing a cut-price deal for Josef Bursik in January could pay off handsomely for them in the years to come.