Ryan Porteous lands Celtic transfer nod as Luke McCowan also tipped to ‘flourish’ at Parkhead

Ryan Porteous lands Celtic transfer nod as Luke McCowan also tipped to ‘flourish’ at Parkhead

Brian McClair reckons Celtic should attempt to lure Ryan Porteous back up the road from Watford.

The Hoops are assessing their defensive options and could launch a move for a centre-back if any of their fringe players including Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi find new clubs. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales are currently the first-choice pairing at the heart of the rearguard but former Parkhead hero Choccy believes there’s room for improvement.And the Manchester United legend thinks ex-Hibs stopper Porteous, 25, would add strength and depth to the squad – despite his horror show for Scotland at the Euros. Asked for his thoughts on Celtic’s transfer business so far, McClair exclusively told Football Scotland: “I think there are two different things to consider. Are there going to be transfers out? Is Matt O’Riley going to leave? If does go, he will go for £20million-plus. Does that change your idea of other targets you may have?Clearly, I think there have been talks with Norwich City over Adam Idah. I thought he did really well when he came to Celtic last year. It looks as though he fancies a move to Glasgow and I think he would be a very good addition to the squad. I think you need to have competition across all areas on the pitch.I think they could do with a left-back to give more competition and also to allow players to get a rest. You want to play all the time, but it’s nice every now and again to have a week off and let someone else play. I think they could do with a centre-half to push Scales and Carter-Vickers.

“Someone who I’ve liked but I don’t really know as a person, is Porteous who left Hibs for Watford. I know he didn’t have a great Euros, but he’s the type of player who I’ve seen who I thought could potentially be of interest to Celtic and someone who I think could push those players for a start. He might be more of a CCV type of player than a Liam Scales type of player.”