Anthony Gordon in action for Everton's under-23 side in the Premier League 2.(Getty Images)
According to The Athletic (h/t Liverpool Echo), Celtic are eyeing Everton youngsters Anthony Gordon and Morgan Feeney.
Celtic, in recent years, have made it a habit of picking raw, upcoming talents from English clubs and abroad. The promise show by Jeremie Frimpong (18) and Jonathan Afolabi (20), who came from Manchester City and Southampton last summer add testament to it.
Right-back Frimpong arrived in September last year from City’s U-23 side and has broken into the first team. The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists at such a brief spell of time.
Meanwhile, centre-forward Afolabi, who arrived last summer, was loaned out to Scottish second-tier side Dunfermline Athletic to get more game time in January. The 20-year-old has played six league games, impressing with two goals and an assist.
That said, Gordon and Feeney, who currently play for Everton’s U-23 side are the exact kind of players who fit into Celtic’s pursuit of young talents.
Both the youngsters are considered to be upcoming talents at Goodison Park, with Gordon even making his breakthrough this season into the first-team lineup, featuring three times from the bench.
Feeney, meanwhile, had made his first-team entry back in 2017-18 itself, appearing for the Toffees twice in the Europa League. Since then, the 21-year-old has gone on to become one of the vital players for their reserve team.
The centre-back even captained the side in 11 of his 12 league outings before joining League One side Tranmere Rovers on loan in February. However, an injury cut short his time at the club, with him returning to Goodison Park.
Gordon, meanwhile, has been sensational for the U-23s forcing Ancelotti to open the doors for a senior team spot for the 19-year-old.
Gordon is the second-highest goal scorer for the Toffees’ U-23 side with six goals and two assists in the Premier League 2.
Having proved their potential at such a young age, Celtic’s interest in the Toffees duo makes total sense.
Meanwhile, Neil Lennon’s side just have two attacking midfielders’ in Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic. Christie has been sensational for the Scottish side this season, scoring 11 league goals and giving as many assists. Rogic, however, has not been in the best of form this season. And bringing in Gordon would offer Lennon more options in attack.
In the centre-back department, Celtic have four players – Christopher Jullien, Kristoffer Ajer, Jozo Simunovic, and Hatem Abd Elhamed.
Ajer, though, has been attracting a lot of interest from clubs abroad, prompting Lennon to look for new options. Roping in the talented Feeney would be an excellent replacement for the Norwegian if he decides to move someplace else.
Gordon and Feeney tick all the boxes in Celtic’s new transfer policy, which involves signing young talents. With the likes of Frimpong and Afolabi, who came from England, showing promise, Lennon should put faith in the Everton duo and sign them. Moreover, their arrival will offer Lennon a variety of choices in plenty of positions.
