Celtic are battling Rangers for the services of a “wonderful” free agent signing.
Rodgers delighted after vital Celtic win
The Hoops beat Motherwell 3-2 in stoppage time on Sunday afternoon, ensuring that they remain just two points behind leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the victory, realising that his side weren’t at their best, but praising the “heart” that his players showed.
“I think the players deserve a huge amount of credit because it’s not easy to play here, especially when you’re behind in the game. The guys coming into the game made a big impact for us and we won through in the end, and I think deservedly so with the opportunities that we had, but it was still a very tough game.
“When you’re still trying to find the level of performance that we would want, you still have to show a big heart and you have to dig out results, and that’s what we did today. It’s been a tough start for us in a number of ways, on and off the pitch, but the one thing is that it hopefully can galvanise us, and I think the supporters will be proud of the players in terms of the heart they showed, and the spirit to keep going.”
Away from the on-pitch action, Celtic continue to eye potential new signings, with a new update now emerging over one rumoured transfer target for the Scottish champions.
New update on Celtic signing "wonderful" ace
Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke shared an update on Celtic’s chances of signing Saint-Etienne midfielder Pierre Ekwah, who is in the process of departing the French club, with the dispute to terminate his contract still ongoing.
“I would be surprised. Obviously you’ve got those added complications of him trying to sort out his contract situation at Saint Etienne. There’s a bit of a standoff going on between Ekwah and obviously the club as well over that one. So I think it’s one that both clubs (Celtic and Rangers) will be monitoring, maybe moving for the former Sunderland man because of that.
“The player has not taken part in much of Saint Etienne’s pre-season or played any games as well. He’d be lacking fitness. He’d probably be waiting for a while before he could be match ready for either Celtic or Rangers as well. So that’s why I think it’d be a deal that maybe both clubs will be wary of stepping in for Ekwah.
“I don’t think Celtic or Rangers will be pushing to do that. I do think both clubs are probably well stocked in midfield as well. They don’t need to bring in a midfielder as a free agent in the current circumstances. I think both clubs have got enough cover.”
It would be a shame for Celtic not to sign Ekwah, considering the 23-year-old is a versatile player who can shine in midfield and defence, being hailed as “wonderful” by Tony Mowbray, having worked together at Sunderland.
As O’Rourke alludes to, though, the Hoops do have good depth in the middle of the park currently, and there are more pressing areas to focus on moving forward, like the need for a long-term solution up front despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s positive start in Glasgow.