Celtic criticised for ignoring Scottish international player

Celtic have signed highly-rated young talents from all over the world in recent years and it has served them very well on the pitch. Just this summer, they brought in players from leagues in South Korea, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Poland, Portugal and England. They did not sign any Scottish player though.

That does not mean that Scotland is not producing some top-quality talent. It is just that they are ending up abroad rather than at one of the two Glasgow giants.

One player whom both Celtic and the Rangers had been linked with in recent times is Ryan Porteous. Neither appeared to make a move though and he ended up signing for Watford instead. He was one of the few Scottish players who held up his own against England in their recent international meeting.

As reported by Football Scotland, Craig Moore told Go Radio:

"“Porteous is one of probably a few that both Rangers and Celtic have probably ignored in terms of the domestic scene. I think it has been overlooked, there’s no doubt about it.“You look at Doig, you look at Ferguson, you look at Shankland now currently. Probably at the start of the season, I was still doubting whether Shankland could play for one of the top two. I think what he has shown this season is, yes I believe he can.”"

Celtic criticised for ignoring Scottish international player

Porteous was a key player for Hibernian for quite a few years and was linked with both Glasgow giants on a number of occasions. A move did not transpire though and ultimately, he headed south instead in order to join Watford.

Porteous has established himself as a regular starter at the back for Watford since then. And his performances for the Scotland national team have been very promising as well. The game against England was the first one he lost at international level.

Considering the injury problems that Celtic have had to deal with in recent times, they could have certainly done with someone like Porteous at the moment. The Hoops are missing three key centre-backs in the form of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, Carl Starfelt left over the summer to join Celta Vigo in the Spanish top flight.