Sport nationCeltic FC Leads the Race to Sign “Terrific Talent” Mason Melia
Celtic FC’s Tuesday night visit to Dens Park was more eventful than expected, with the champions requiring a 93rd-minute Arne Engels spot-kick to salvage a draw against Dundee. Despite the two points dropped, Celtic remains 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was clearly frustrated at full time, but when asked for an update about January transfers, he said, “Nothing as of yet, I’ll probably find out over the next couple of days.” This response has sparked speculation about potential signings, with one highly-rated teenager reportedly leading the race to join the Hoops.
Celtic Chasing St Patrick’s Athletic Striker Mason Melia
According to Mark McCadden of the Irish Mirror, Celtic is “leading the race” to sign St Patrick’s Athletic striker Mason Melia. The 17-year-old visited Glasgow last week for talks, having also received interest from Tottenham and Serie A side Bologna.
Melia’s impressive record at youth level has caught the attention of several top clubs. He has made 54 appearances for League of Ireland side St Pat’s, scoring ten goals and helping the team finish third last season. In November 2023, he came off the bench as St Patrick’s Athletic beat Bohemians 3-1 in the FAI Cup Final.
Journalist Conor McEvoy described Melia as a “terrific talent,” with Mark Gallagher of Extra Ireland valuing him at €1m (around £835,000). This would break the League of Ireland record, currently held by Liam Scales, who joined Celtic for €600,000 from Shamrock Rovers in 2021.
Brexit Regulations Delay Potential Move
Due to Brexit regulations, Melia cannot join a British club until after his 18th birthday, meaning any potential move will not take place until January 2026 at the earliest. However, this does not prevent Celtic or other interested clubs from agreeing to a deal now.
How Mason Melia Would Fit in at Celtic
If Melia chooses to join Celtic, he will face stiff competition for a starting spot from fellow strikers Kyōgo Furuhashi and Adam Idah. Idah became an instant Celtic hero by scoring a 90th-minute winner against Rangers in last season’s Scottish Cup Final but has not lived up to expectations since his move from Norwich was made permanent.
Idah received criticism from Sky Sports pundits Kris Boyd, Neil Lennon, and James McFadden after Tuesday’s game, with Boyd saying, “He doesn’t seem to be the same player” as last season. Perhaps there would be room in the squad for Melia to make an impression?
Celtic’s History of Irish Players
Melia would be following in the footsteps of several Irish legends who have played for Celtic. A total of 22 Irish players have made a senior appearance for the club, including Pat Bonner, Patsy Gallacher, Sean Fallon, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Stokes, and Charlie Gallagher.
Some notable Irish players throughout Celtic’s history include:
- Pat Bonner (1978-97): 646 appearances, 0 goals, 12 trophies
- Patsy Gallacher (1911-25): 464 appearances, 192 goals, 13 trophies
- Sean Fallon (1950-58): 254 appearances, 14 goals, 6 trophies
- Aiden McGeady (2004-10): 252 appearances, 37 goals, 7 trophies
- Anthony Stokes (2010-16): 192 appearances, 77 goals, 7 trophies
- Charlie Gallagher (1958-68): 171 appearances, 32 goals, 6 trophies
If Melia does join Celtic, he will be part of a long line of talented Irish players who have donned the green and white hoops.
Conclusion
Celtic FC’s interest in Mason Melia is a clear indication of the club’s desire to strengthen its squad for the future. Although any potential move is delayed due to Brexit regulations, the Hoops are reportedly leading the race to sign the highly-rated teenager.
With Celtic’s history of developing young talent and its strong connection with Irish players, Melia would be an excellent addition to the squad. As the January transfer window progresses, Celtic fans will be eagerly awaiting news of any potential signings, including the highly sought-after Mason Melia.
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