OPINION
It would be fair to say that Oliver Burke has rediscovered his confidence and his form since joining Celtic on loan from West Brom in the summer, so it should come as no surprise to hear him speaking of a permanent move to Parkhead.
With 14 appearances for the Hoops, which is just seven less than the 21-year-old has made for the Baggies since signing for them from RB Leipzig back in 2017, the Scottish international has been enjoying his football, scoring four goals and chipping in with a further three assists.
Considering how far he fell at West Brom, he would likely accept any move away from the Hawthorns this summer but his time at Celtic Park has quite clearly got him dreaming of a long-term future in the green and white hoops.
Speaking to the Express and Star, he said: “If it was down to myself, I would snatch it right up. I think it’s an amazing club and I’m very happy here and enjoying my football, so why wouldn’t I want to stay here?
“But right now, like I said, it’s totally out of my hands. We just have to see at the end of the season what comes of it.”
As he says, his future is currently up in the air and unfortunately for him, so is the manager’s job at his parent club, James Shan currently the caretaker boss.
Burke knows that the inevitable change in the dugout will give him no clarity on what role he has to play at the club until the summer, again telling the Express and Star: “Right now they don’t actually have a manager because there was obviously the sacking of Darren Moore. Maybe a new manager will come in and maybe have a look at me or something.”
Regardless of who steps in, the £15million price tag that the Baggies reportedly spent on his capture means that they are going to demand top dollar for his capture, leaving the Hoops facing a hefty fee if they are to give Burke his dream move.
Unfortunately for the six-cap star, there are too many factors working against him to move to Celtic Park on a permanent deal this summer and so he must be prepared to be frustrated. Maybe one day he will get his move, but it seems unlikely to be this year.