Former Celtic man Charlie Mulgrew believes a Liverpool talent could end up at Parkhead after an outstanding spell away from Anfield.
Celtic facing tense run-in to Scottish title race
There are few tougher seats in Scottish football right now than Martin O’Neill’s dugout at Celtic Park.
The reigning champions, chasing a 14th title in 15 seasons, have dropped to third in the Premiership with seven games left, and the damage from Sunday afternoon at Tannadice is still fresh.
A 2-0 loss to Dundee United saw Celtic fall behind both Hearts and Rangers in the table.
Hearts, who have been top since September, lead on 66 points. Rangers sit second on 63.
Celtic, for the first time since Rangers last lifted the title in 2021, are now chasing rather than leading at this stage of the campaign. They are three points off top spot and facing the real danger of losing a title they have dominated for well over a decade.
The projections do not make pleasant reading at Parkhead.
Celtic now have just a 20 per cent chance of winning the league, compared to Hearts on 42 and Rangers on 38.
Every mistake from here could prove costly. A side used to constant success is now dealing with something unfamiliar, real pressure and vulnerability.
One of the key moments in that defeat at Tannadice came from a player already being linked with a future in green and white.
Celtic tipped to potentially sign Luca Stephenson from Liverpool:
Luca Stephenson, the 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder currently on his second loan spell at Dundee United, provided the assist that helped set the tone for the home side’s win.
It was exactly the type of display that has caught attention all season, with the Sunderland-born youngster emerging as one of the standout young players in the league.
He has made 32 appearances this season, contributing five goals and four assists, and is so highly rated at Tannadice that manager Jim Goodwin recently handed him the captain’s armband. That is no small feat for a 22-year-old loanee.
Mulgrew, a former Celtic and Scotland defender, has now joined those praising him.
Speaking on The Breakdown, the pundit was clear in his assessment.
“Stephenson is good as well, from Liverpool,” he said.
“I think he could play for Rangers or Celtic.”
That is strong praise.
Mulgrew knows exactly what it takes to succeed at both clubs and does not hand out compliments lightly.
Stephenson’s ability to play in multiple roles, whether in central midfield, at right back or as a wing back, makes him the type of versatile player modern managers value highly.
He signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool last summer before returning to Dundee United on loan, but the expectation is that he could move on permanently once that spell ends.
Breaking into Liverpool’s first team looks unlikely.
With O’Neill trying to steady a title push that has lost momentum at the worst possible time, the squad is clearly lacking fresh energy and quality.
A player like Stephenson, already proven in Scottish football, comfortable under pressure and backed by someone who understands the club, fits the kind of profile Celtic could be targeting this summer.
The club are expected to be planning ahead, and Stephenson is certainly a name they will be keeping a close eye on.
