Celtic are now being linked with a new left-back as they look to add much-needed depth behind Kieran Tierney. The Bhoys continue to lag behind their rivals in the summer transfer window, still with just the one deal completed so far.
Martin O'Neill knows he needs to significantly improve the quality of his squad, but deals have not been forthcoming beyond the recruiting of Camilo Duran from Qarabag.
Meanwhile, Celtic passed up the chance to re-sign Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, who both wanted to return to the club for the coming season. A low-ball offer was made to the former, while no offer at all was made to the latter.
Celtic hatch new left-back plan
According to the Daily Record, Celtic are now interested in signing AEK Athens left-back James Penrice. The Scottish left-back is being courted by plenty of clubs this summer, including Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
Norwich City have also been linked, but the Record say Celtic have 'enquired' about the availability of the 27-year-old having tracked his progress in Greece. It's unclear whether AEK will sell, with Penrice tied down to another two years, and indeed how much they will ask for, with Transfermarkt valuing the defender at £2.1million.
No offer has been submitted by any of the clubs at this stage, but Penrice's future is very much up in the air given the level of interest.
Penrice joined AEK from Hearts after a year there on the back of a solid spell with Livingston. He made 20 league appearances for AEK last season and also featured in the Europa League as they reached the quarter-finals and ultimately lost to finalists Rayo Vallecano.
Penrice has largely been a supplaementary option, though, so he could push to move on this summer. Then again, if he does want to make regular starts, it's likely Celtic will not be his main option.
Celtic want to sign a new left-back this summer, but it's clear that left-back will be there to deputise for Kieran Tierney, albeit Tierney's inability to play every game will lead to more opportunities than most get as a back-up, as Saracchi found out last season.
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