Celtic are closing on a deal for Australia international Riley McGree after impressing on loan at Birmingham City
- Celtic are said to be closing on a deal for Australia international Riley McGree
- The 23-year-old star has proved a firm favourite with Birmingham supporters
- McGree made 30 appearances and scored three goals prior to his loan period
Celtic are closing on a deal for Australia international Riley McGree who has been impressing on loan at Birmingham City.
The 23-year-old has proved a firm favourite with Birmingham supporters after arriving on loan from MLS expansion franchise Charlotte FC last season.
He went on to make 30 appearances and scored three goals prior to his loan period finishing at the end of December attracting interest from a number of clubs.
Celtic are said to be closing on a deal for Australia international Riley McGree (above)
McGree had professed his love for Birmingham and was willing to consider staying with Lee Bowyer’s Championship side. Indeed, teammate George Friend made a plea for the club to keep McGree saying: ‘He has been great. He’s a very good player.
‘He has had a really tough time here because under [Aitor] Karanka he just didn’t play, even though every day in training he was arguably the best player.
‘He has waited and he has got a great temperament and personality – and most of all he is a talented footballer, so I hope he can stay on some level.’
The 23-year-old has proved a firm favourite with Birmingham supporters after arriving on loan from MLS expansion franchise Charlotte FC last season
Teammate George Friend (above) has made a plea for the club to keep McGree
Subsequently, Birmingham were widely expected to try and make his move permanent, however, Celtic manager, and fellow Australian, Ange Postecoglu is a confirmed admirer and wants to take McGree to the Scottish Premiership where he believes the playmaker can have a big impact.
A number of Championship clubs are understood to have shown strong interest in McGree, who has been playing for Australia in their World Cup qualifiers this year, but it looks increasingly likely that Celtic will fend off rival competition and convince him to sign for them in the coming days.