Celtic have “completed” the signing of American left-back Andrew Gutman, according to Goal correspondent Ives Galarcep.
The reliable American journalist claimed via his personal Twitter account on Thursday that the Hoops have beaten Chicago Fire in the race to sign the 22-year-old defender, even though the MLS club offered him a “sizeable” contract.
I’m told Scottish giant Celtic has completed the signing of Indiana University standout and Hermann Award winner Andrew Gutman. That’s a big blow for the Chicago Fire, which had offered the left back a sizable homegrown player contract.
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) January 10, 2019
There is yet to be an official statement confirming Gutman’s arrival at Celtic Park, but it looks as though Brendan Rodgers has been able to snap up the Illinois-born full-back from Indiana University.
Good move for Celtic?
It is really hard to tell how Gutman’s move to Scotland will work out.
He has clearly done something to impress those who have watched him play for Indiana Hoosier in US college-level football, but there have to be doubts about whether he can make it in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic will be a massive step up for Gutman, who is 22-years-old and never played senior football.
Kieran Tierney, Emilio Izaguirre, and maybe even Calvin Miller, could all be above him in the pecking order at left-back.
Still, he should be a fairly cheap signing and that kind of means there’s no point in not signing him.
This is Futbol rating 5/10
Likely to happen?
Gutman definitely appears to be bound for Parkhead.
Reports from both sides of the Atlantic seem to be suggesting that he is going to put pen to paper with the Bhoys, so you can expect a confirmation about this deal sooner rather than later.
This is Futbol rating 10/10