OPINION
If you take a quick peek at the top scorers in England’s top four leagues this season, you will find a surprise name in the number two position.
Peterborough striker Jack Marriott has so far bagged 26 goals this season, lying second only to Liverpool goal machine Mohamed Salah in the country.
The 23-year-old has had a truly spectacular season for Posh since arriving for £450,000 from Luton Town last summer, having also netted six goals in cup competitions to take his overall tally to 32.
His form has inevitably begun to attract attention from sides higher in the league pyramid, and with Peterborough not guaranteed to achieve promotion this season, Marriott may well be on the move this summer.
In preparation, the club have slapped a price tag on Marriott’s head of £5million plus add-ons, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Championship clubs Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest are all said to be interested, with Peterborough prepared for several bids this summer.
However, Celtic should be ready to pounce and blow these sides out the water for Marriott, who would surely thrive for the Hoops in Scotland.
The 23-year-old is a natural goalscorer, being able to bag with his right foot, left foot and his head, as all good strikers do.
Marriott does not have natural pace but his speed is decent and does not hinder his game, still being able to run League One defences ragged this season.
While there is no doubt a step up in competition to the Premiership, interest from English top-flight clubs in Marriott shows that he is deemed to have the quality needed to play at a higher level.
It looks likely that Moussa Dembele will leave Parkhead this summer, and the club will be flush with money from his sale.
However, Marriott will be available for just £5million plus add-ons, and looks like a player who would be able to step right into Dembele’s goalscoring boots.
It is a no-brainer for Brendan Rodgers, and he must recognise that before it’s too late and Marriott begins to bang them in for a Championship or Premier League club.