If a recent report from The Herald Scotland is believed to be true, Celtic keep close tabs on Tyrhys Dolan’s contract situation at Blackburn Rovers. The long-term Hoops target will be a free agent next month and has yet to decide his future amid interest from north of the border.
But the Celts are not alone in the hunt, with their Old Firm rivals Rangers also playing the waiting game for the 23-year-old Englishman. The Rovers sensation spent the academy years at Manchester City, Burnley and last but not least, Preston North End. Although he was loaned out to non-league outfit Clitheroe for regular gametime, the Lilywhites let him part ways on a Bosman without handing him a senior debut.
Besides handing Dolan his first professional contract, the Rovers rewarded him with an immediate first-team role in 2020. So far, Dolan has scored 26 goals and laid on 22 more in 210 appearances across competitions, and the 2024-25 season has been his most productive stint with 7 goals and 6 assists in 44 Championship outings [stats via Transfermarket].
Meanwhile, Blackburn finished just outside the ‘top six’, thus failing to secure a playoff spot despite a late resurgence under Valérien Ismaël. The French boss wants to retain the wide attacking ace, but is aware of the interest from elsewhere.
“As I say, he put himself in that position. It’s a good position for him, so we have to respect that. We have to be patient, we will try to keep him and fight for our players.”
Revealed the Ewood Park boss (as quoted by The Daily Record) when asked about Dolan’s future.
Missing out on the Premier League promotion could be a blow in their battle to keep hold of the youngster, and the champions of Scotland could take advantage of the situation by offering him Champions League football.
How Celtic Would Benefit From The Bosman Deal
The Celts boosted them down the wide in winter by signing back Jota from Rennes. However, the winger is now ruled out for up to nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. He is unlikely to feature this year, and Brendan Rodgers, therefore, would prefer to restore depth and quality in the attacking third.
Celtic also have Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Yang Hyun-jun and Luis Palma among wing forwards, but might undergo a crisis in the summer. High-flying Kuhn has emerged as a transfer target for English and German clubs, whereas Forrest, in his mid-thirties, is no longer a first-team regular. Outcast Palma has failed to impress on loan at Olympiacos, and the Glasgow giants should offload him in due time, being surplus to requirements at Parkhead. Yang is viewed as a sporadic option, and versatile Maeda has been more prolific as an outright ‘number 9’.
Predominantly a right-sided attacker, Dolan has proven his flair and flexibility from the left, as a ‘False 9’ as well as a midfield attacker. He is ready for the next career step, and a move to Celtic should see him flourish under Rodgers’ tutelage.
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