Speaking recently on the All Leeds TV YouTube show, Beren Cross discussed Leeds United’s potential incoming and outgoing transfers this summer, and, in particular, Barry Douglas’ links with a move to Celtic.
Since moving to Leeds from Wolverhampton Wanderers in what was a £3.06 million deal back in 2018, Douglas has gone on to make 43 appearances for the club, providing five assists along the way.
Last season, the left-back made just 15 Championship appearances for the club, which was, admittedly, partly down to injury, however, when he did feature for Marcelo Bielsa side, he averaged a disappointing WhoScored match rating of 6.46.
Over the summer, the 31-year-old’s future at Leeds has been called into question, with Celtic reportedly interested in making a move for the £1.8 million-rated defender, and, speaking recently on the All Leeds TV YouTube channel, Beren Cross provided an update on the situation of Douglas at the club.
He said: “Barry Douglas is now 30, maybe even 31 recently, but he’s at the peak of his powers. These are his best footballing years, and he wants to be playing, doesn’t he? Rightly or wrongly, he has not played very much football since he’s come to Leeds. In the first year, a lot of it was down to injuries, in the second year, more injuries, but you have to admit he’s gone down the pecking order, you know, [Stuart] Dallas and [Ezgjan] Alioski certainly performed better than Douglas for much of the season.
“You would have been forgiven for thinking Douglas wants to get a move. There’s no bad blood there, it’s just the way it is. Not everybody is going to play football and if you can get football elsewhere, especially at a big club like Celtic, then why wouldn’t you?
“The noises we’re getting is he’s really happy here – he’s a big part of the dressing room, he’s very, very popular, and I think you can’t underestimate the impact off the field. He’s obviously a more experienced head. He’s very good for squad morale and he fits in well. Providing he stays happy, the club are more than happy to keep hold of him.
“We asked the question about the Celtic stuff, but he’s really, really happy where he is and I think he backs himself to maybe get himself into the team.
“Who knows, Douglas might end up being the surprise of the season.”
Would you hold on to Barry Douglas?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Cross’ comments, then, it would certainly appear as if the journalist is of the belief that Douglas is happy at the club, regardless of his lack of game time so far at Leeds, and it would appear as if Celtic’s desire to sign the left-back will go no further than simply being interest.
As such, it will certainly be interesting to see whether the 31-year-old can indeed work his way back into Marcelo Bielsa’s starting XI, and if he can prove himself to be an asset to the club in their Premier League campaign.