Celtic legend John Hartson has suggested that the Scottish Premiership champions should consider hi-jacking Old Firm rivals Rangers’ move for Leicester City defender Harry Souttar.
It is only seven months since Leicester City paid £15 million to sign the towering Australia international from Stoke City. And the fact that Harry Souttar could now leave the King Power Stadium on loan – following fellow January addition Viktor Kristensen out the door – feels like a rather damning indictment of Leicester’s recruitment department, not to mention an insight as to why the 2016 Premier League champions now find themselves in the second-tier despite years of heavy spending.
According to The Athletic, Rangers want Harry Souttar on a short-term deal.
The younger brother of Ibrox stopper John; 6ft 7ins Souttar is likely to be let go after failing to make a single appearance under new Foxes boss Enzo Maresca so far this term.
But could Rangers face late competition from a few miles down the road?
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Rangers eye Leicester City’s Harry Souttar
Asked whether Celtic should consider throwing their own hat into the ring for Souttar’s signature, Hoops hero Hartson told Go Radio that defensive reinforcements would be welcomed after Brendan Rodgers lost both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki for two months.
“I don’t know what Harry Souttar is thinking. I don’t know whether Brendan thinks he’s a good fit. (But) you are right; Celtic need centre-backs,” Hartson admits.
“Nawrocki is injured, he is out for a while. You have got Alistair Johnston, who might move into a centre-half position and Ralston will start (on the right). (But) I haven’t seen him (Johnston) at centre-back.”
Souttar, who made his professional debut for Dundee United, feels Rangers’ most likely centre-back addition before this week’s deadline.
Beale and co have moved on from Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo. Jake Cooper has signed a new contract at Millwall. Ronnie Edwards is too expensive. And the Rangers boss has ruled out a deal for Bristol City stopper Zak Vyner.