Celtic should consider making a move for Scotland Internationalist Tommy Conway. The 21-year-old has been exiled to Bristol City’s U21s after rejecting a contract offer.
The Scottish Champions are in the market for two strikers and there is a bargain to be had with Bristol preparing for the youngster to move on. Conway, who has been with City since he was 7, is said to have rejected a new deal and failed to negotiate further terms, meaning that he is available.
Bristol City manager Liam Manning told the BBC last week that it would be best for all parties if Conway was to move on, while praising the attacker’s commitment to training with Bristol’s second side.
“I know there was a lot of noise around me and Tommy falling out but that’s not the case at all – we’ve been getting on fine,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
“I’ve had numerous chats with him last season going into his final year. The club, for me, made a fantastic offer to him but it was turned down. It wasn’t negotiated.
“Then he gave the indication he wants to move on, he doesn’t want to re-sign and stay.
“For me, I will always protect the group as we prepare to go into another relentlessly difficult season, we need people who are fully focused on us,” he said.
“I had a chat with Tommy and explained that to him. He’s working hard with the [under] 21s and making sure he’s getting his programmes right and he’s getting everything he needs.
“For me, my energy, and the staff’s energy, needs to go into the team that are going to be fighting for the club week in, week out.
“He’s indicated he wants to leave so the sooner the better, I think, for everyone involved.
“As it stands, we’ve had no offers on the table so we’ll have to see what happens.”
Conway has 25 goals for Bristol City as well as assisting 6 times in 92 appearances. The striker has been tipped as an up and comer from the Championship, a league that offers a good level of competitiveness.
Celtic want two strikers into the club this summer to support Kyogo. The manager described it as two first choice players and a third, young striker to support and supplement in the front line. Conway could fit this profile.
Not only would Conway be a player that could develop substantially in the future, he would go towards the UEFA quotas given that he is a Scotland Internationalist.
Celtic have only signed Sinisalo and Schmeichel this summer as the club have addressed the goalkeeping situation. The manager wants to bring Idah and Paulo Bernardo back to the club while strengthening in other key areas.
1 Comment
Didn’t realise Conway actually qualified as a potential homegrown player, with him not actually having done any Scottish youth development training?
Like with most of our potential signings in the making, they would possibly be looking for guaranteed CL squad place, especially if they have a fair amount of experience at a decent level imo?
Not so sure Conway would get the likes with ourselves for next season imo?
Of course there should be plenty of opportunities available for himself within the SPFL, but would that option really be enough to interest him?
Rodgers won’t be going for 3 strikers within his 25man CL squad imo?
Whereas vata could have provided that, like Kelly with being listed as B list players for CL squad, outside of the 25man?
Could be a case of using a wide option such as Maeda as a 3rd striker if the situation should arise or maybe another wide option is been considered who could also do the central striker role if required?
Also Kenny on loan at shamrock rovers can’t be totally ruled out just yet, but would be very surprised if he was to make the required standard imo?
Certainly wouldn’t rule Conway out as an option for ourselves, even if I don’t know what he offers as a player in the making with ourselves, should Rodgers be even interested?