‘Way off’: Manager suggests Celtic will not be signing £15m player before deadline day

With Celtic’s recent injury to Greg Taylor necessitating the addition of another left-back to the team,

news emerged this morning that Newcastle fullback Matt Targett is on Brendan Rodgers’ radar.

Taylor has been brilliant for Celtic over the last three seasons,

keeping players like Alexandro Bernabei out of the lineup.

However, due to his recent injury and Bernabei’s lack of popularity,

Rodgers’ search for a new left-back has become much more important before the January window closes on Thursday night.

That led to claims this morning that Targett was being looked at by Celtic for a loan move.

Signed for £15 million from Aston Villa, Targett has made seven appearances for The Magpies this season,

but boss Eddie Howe, has rubbished the claims he could head to Glasgow’s east end.

Howe told [Chronicle Live]: “Incorrect, totally off. Matt is injured.

He still has some time to work on that.

“He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”

Targett is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in November versus Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

The 29-year-old is expected to be out for up to three months [BBC],

and will not be ready for first-team play until at least the end of February.

So it’s strange that reports say the 28-year-old might be on his way to Celtic,

given that Rodgers needs a first-team ready and completely fit left-back.

Targett has been in and out of the Newcastle squad since signing in June 2022.

He made 19 appearances last season and 16 the previous season,

although he struggled to hold down a regular spot in Eddie Howe’s side. [Transfermarkt]

So, for the time being, this is a tale that can be put to rest, but as the window nears its end,

there will undoubtedly be more stories tying Celtic to players in the coming days.

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