Rangers-mad Scotland international James Morrison has urged Rekeem Harper to avoid signing for Celtic this summer amid reported interest from Neil Lennon.
According to the Express & Star, Celtic are in the race for Harper’s signature as he approaches the end of his contract at West Brom.
It is understood that the Hoops would have to pay a compensation fee worth £235,000 to land the England Under-19 international, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season at The Hawthorns.
However West Brom veteran Morrison has explained that Harper would be better off staying put in the Black Country as he will be guaranteed more first-team football there than at Celtic.
“In midfield (next season) there’s only Rak, Sam (Field), Jake (Livermore), and Chris (Brunt). He’s got a chance to play,” Morrison said, as quoted by the Express & Star.
“Is he guaranteed that at Celtic? He’s not. And that’s a tough place to play too.”
OPINION
Morrison is spot on. Harper could leave West Brom once his contract expires and end up signing for a team in the Premier League, but all he would do is slip into their youth system and end up being loaned out and see his potential go to waste. While moving to Celtic wouldn’t be as bad, he might still be on the fringes of Lennon’s squad for a year or two before becoming a first team regular. West Brom is definitely the best place for him at the moment but all this uncertainty surrounding the 19-year-old’s contract has led to a lot of criticism from fans. If Harper does pen a new deal then Albion fans will surely get behind the midfielder, but it does seem as though he is biding his time to see if someone makes a pre-contract approach. Celtic should definitely push on to sign the central midfielder because he does have a lot of potential, but from his perspective, he should pen new terms at The Hawthorns and be a key player for the Baggies in the Championship next season.