OPINION
There is no questioning the fact that Celtic is a selling club when the money of English sides comes knocking on the door.
Even the most staunch supporter of the Hoops would struggle to deny that their club lack the resources – both financially and on a footballing basis – to compete with those south of the border and when Premier League sides want someone at Parkhead, they have to money to make it happen.
The only silver lining that the Bhoys faithful can take away from this inevitability is that the money earned helps strengthen their side quite significantly and one big deal can make all the difference for the club’s future.
There are undoubtedly a couple of Celtic stars on the books which English clubs will be looking at, perhaps none more so than Kieran Tierney, who has been heavily linked with a move down south for some time now.
The Daily Star report that the Hoops have been handed a boost in their hopes of keeping him though, with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, who of course left the Hoops this season, said to have shelved a £30million plan to raid his old side courtesy of Manchester City’s decision not to pursue Ben Chilwell’s capture.
However, it is very much a double edged sword for Celtic.
A price of £30million is huge for any player in Scotland and you imagine the two reasons why Rodgers was willing to splash that sort of cash was because he has worked with him and he would have had £60million burning a hole in his pocket.
Now that has been put on ice, Celtic are unlikely to be able to demand anywhere near that sort of money, especially with a hip operation on the way this summer putting his fitness in doubt.
Celtic will sell Tierney at some point – that is a given – but to miss out on £30million is no doubt going to be gutting for club chief Peter Lawwell, who will want to get every penny possible for his departure.