There’s long been a feeling that at some stage, Scotland skipper Andy Robertson would end up back at Celtic, with the Champions League-winning full-back having previously been on the books at Parkhead as a teenager.
The boyhood Hoops fans was notably pictured in the crowd for the thumping 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart in the Europa League last month, only adding fuel to the fire regarding the ongoing transfer speculation.
Out of contract this summer, following prior links to Tottenham Hotspur in January, the 32-year-old could well move to Glasgow on a free transfer, fulfilling a lifelong dream of pulling on that green and white jersey at first-team level.
Quite what that would mean for his international teammate and left-back rival, Kieran Tierney, well, that remains to be seen, with this a rumour that is likely to run and run heading into this summer’s World Cup.
That being said, the Liverpool hero might not be the only defensive reinforcement ahead of next season, amid what could be a notable squad overhaul.
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There are other priorities, it must be said, not least the signing of a new marquee centre-forward, yet the full-back department could also see significant change this summer.
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On the left flank, any move for Robertson would surely end hopes of a potential permanent stay for on-loan Boca Juniors man, Marcelo Saracchi, despite the 27-year-old having been an adequate deputy to Tierney this season.
On the right, Alistair Johnston could well put himself in the shop window again for Canada at the World Cup, while it remains to be seen if Julian Araujo will be kept on permanently, with the Mexico international currently ahead of both Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan in the pecking order.
There is depth at right-back, but that has not stopped Celtic from looking at potential improvements, with Football Insider reporting that the Glasgow side are battling rivals Rangers for the signing of Dundee United loanee, Luca Stephenson.
The report outlines that Stephenson, enjoying a second season on loan at Tannadice in a row from parent club Liverpool, could be allowed to leave Anfield permanently this summer, if the right offer is submitted.
The 22-year-old is said to be ‘highly-regarded’ on Merseyside, although a permanent exit is a real possibility, with the Old Firm pair among those vying for his signature.
Why Stephenson could be the new Andy Robertson
In the case of Stephenson’s Liverpool teammate, Robertson, the now-experienced defender had to work his way back to the top following his Celtic exit, initially beginning his career at Queen’s Park, prior to enjoying his first taste of the Premiership in 2013/14.
That opportunity came at Stephenson’s current side, Dundee United, with Robertson ending his solitary season with the Tangerines by claiming the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, chalking up 11 goals and assists in 44 games.
A move to Hull City and then to Anfield followed and the rest, as they say, is history, albeit with the Glasgow native’s talent having first been truly seen in that year at Tannadice.
|
Robertson’s career so far |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Games |
Goals (Assists) |
|
Liverpool |
372 |
13 (69) |
|
Hull |
115 |
5 (10) |
|
Dundee Utd |
44 |
5 (6) |
|
Queen’s Park |
43 |
2 (3) |
|
Scotland |
90 |
4 (12) |
There are then certainly parallels with regard to Stephenson’s impact in recent seasons in Scottish football, having first signed on loan in the summer of 2024.
While he has remained on the books at Liverpool, the Englishman had previously followed Robertson’s example to some degree, dropping down to the lower levels of the EFL pyramid after making 34 appearances for Barrow the year prior.
A versatile talent who can operate as a full-back, central midfielder or wing-back, Stephenson has particularly flourished this term for Jim Goodwin’s side, racking up nine goals and assists in the Premiership already.
With 14 goal involvements in 66 total games for Dundee, his record certainly mirrors that of Robertson’s own stint with the Tangerines, with it clear to see why both Celtic and Rangers are so interested in a potential summer deal.
Indeed, the Hoops only recently saw the youngster’s quality first-hand in the 2-0 defeat to Goodwin’s men prior to the international break, with Stephenson racking up his latest assist amid that encouraging outing.
As already stated, right-back might not be the priority at present, yet if Johnston is to depart and if Araujo is deemed too expensive to return, then the Liverpool academy graduate might be the perfect alternative.
There is then a very real prospect that Celtic could be lining up with Robertson on one flank and Stephenson on the other if all goes to plan this summer for the Parkhead chiefs.
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