If a report from The Daily Record is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close eyes on Dundee United teenager Owen Stirton. The former Hoops left-back Tosh McKinlay was in attendance to monitor the striking sensation who is off to a flying start in Scottish League One on a short-term loan at Montrose.
McKinlay, also a scout for the Bhoys, was at New Central Park during Montrose’s scoreless draw with Kelly Hearts last weekend. The 18-year-old Scotsman blanked on the road, but he has so far depicted his incredible poaching trait with six goals in seven league games for the Links Park Dynamo.
Stirton progressed through the Tangerines’ youth ranks before breaking into their senior squad in September 2023. While he primarily featured for their reserves, a late goal in their 3-0 win against Ross County earned him accolades for the sharpness exhibited seconds into his Premiership debut. He also made two substitute appearances in the League Cup, but the temporary switch to Montrose is a win-win for all parties involved.
United convinced their prized asset to sign a new deal until the summer of 2027. This eliminates the fear of losing him for nothing and ensures a significant financial profit if Celtic knock on the door in the coming days.
Why Celtic Should Strike A Deal
Brendan Rodgers is known for nurturing young talents and has promoted the ‘project signings’ like Yang Hyun-Jun and Johnny Kenny who have impressed in limited minutes. Moreover, academy prodigy Dane Murray was involved against Aston Villa in the Champions League, and Stirton, who is tipped to be the successor of West Ham-bound Daniel Cummings in the Celts academy, could soon be integrated into the first-team set-up as the understudy to senior names.
Despite parting ways with Kyogo Furuhashi, Celtic have encountered little trouble high up the pitch thanks to Daizen Maeda’s blistering scoring form across competitions. The versatile Japanese international found the net on Sunday afternoon in their 2-0 Scottish Cup win against Hibernian, and Adam Idah, who was expected to slot in as the like-for-like replacement for Furuhashi, is now featuring as the understudy to the 27-goal Samurai Blue striking ace.
Kenny, meanwhile, was recalled in January from his Shamrock Rovers loan to restore parity high up the pitch. However, the 21-year-old Irishman needs regular gametime in a more familiar league to flourish his skills and his potential egress, either on loan or permanent terms, might earn Stirton a sporadic role if he continues to impress in League One, as well as in the pre-season, if a transfer takes place upon the completion of the current campaign.
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