Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil’s Neymar has claimed that Celtic’s loan signing Timothy Weah is destined for greatness with Parkhead the perfect proving ground for the US International.
The 18-year-old signed a six-month loan deal with the Scottish champions this month and Neymar believes that Weah is a ‘big talent’ and will go back to PSG a ‘more complete player’.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Neymar said:
"“It is a very exciting move for him from what I have seen of his talent he has everything to go and be one of the top attacking players in Europe.“It is a good move for him, a good move for Celtic as they are getting such a big talent, and also a good move for PSG because he has a chance to get experience and games and come back to us a more complete player.“He did have options – but he chose the right one. Celtic are a big club, in their league, they attack a lot and score a lot of goals, and also they are still in Europe – so they offer him much.”"
Despite breaking into the PSG first team last season and making a number of appearances at the start of this current campaign, Weah is down the pecking order at Les Parisiens behind Neymar, Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.
The son of former PSG & AC Milan great George Weah he has already picked up eight caps for the United States International side.
Neymar added:
"“He has the talent – we know that but also he has a great attitude. From the first day I have met him he has wanted to learn off the players who have already won the major trophies, from the players who have already achieved big things in the game.“He is a fun guy to be around – but also he is very humble and that is what you want to see from a young player. It’s what a coach wants to see because it means they want to learn.“His father is one of the greatest strikers there has been – but he doesn’t feel the pressure of having the name and I respect that. He just has confidence in his own ability and in his own game and that was how I was at his age.”"
Ahead of his loan move to Celtic, Weah signed a new deal with PSG and a clear sign that the hierarchy at the French champions rates the youngster highly.
Weah could make his first-team debut in the Scottish Cup on the 19th January as Celtic welcome Airdrie to Parkhead, along with fellow new boys Oliver Burke and Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
Meanwhile, Celtic are expected to announce their fourth signing of the January transfer window with the arrival of Weah’s fellow countryman Andrew Gutman after the defender rejected contracts on the table from MLS side Chicago Fire and Celtic’s rivals Rangers.
Gutman had spent several weeks with the Ibrox side on trial but rejected the deal put on the table by Steven Gerrard’s side and will now cross the city divide to sign for Celtic.