A Greek football insider has claimed that there is a small window of opportunity for Celtic to sign James Penrice from AEK Athens…

The Scottish star entered the fray once again with Celtic, when it emerged they had revived interest in the former Hearts and Livingston defender, much like they have reportedly did with Bodø/Glimt’s Kasper Høgh, who is also strongly rumoured to be the subject of strong admiration behind the gates at  Lennoxtown.

James Penrice, meanwhile, was being courted by the Scottish Premiership Champions last year, when he moved from Livi to Hearts and had a great first campaign at the Edinburgh club. So much so, that it prompted others to sit up and take notice of the left-back, with AEK Athens the first ones to take a punt on the Scotsman at £2 million.

Having missed out on that occasion, it seems like the Glasgow giants are looking into possibly striking a deal second time around, as they are in desperate need of reinforcement at the left-hand side of the defence. Kieran Tierney is our only left-back at present, with Marcelo Saracchi returning to Boca Juniors and the club unwilling to sanction a move for the Uruguayan – despite the manager specifically requesting it.

Updates from Greece have now claimed that the Bhoys could have a potentially small window of opportunity to grab the 27-year-old Penrice at the second time of asking.

According to Antonis Oikonomides, the player’s representatives have made it clear that the move is something that would greatly interest their client, whilst claiming that there is zero chance he will move to Ibrox, after having been the subject of much flirting from there too.

Speaking on SPORT24’s YouTube show Box2Box, Oikonomides said: “Rangers have always been a constant, unchanging focal point within this circle of Penrice’s admirers.

“I didn’t see it happening when we were discussing it during the previous transfer window, I didn’t see it before this one even started, and I don’t see it now that the Rangers name has resurfaced.

“The player’s side denies it, maintaining that there is absolutely nothing with Rangers,” he said.

“What is clear is that Rangers are not interested. So, for goodness’ sake, just so I’m not misunderstood or say anything out of line, it’s being said that there is no interest from Rangers – and that there still isn’t – for Penrice.”

However, the Greek football insider was far more optimistic about the Hoops’ chances of possibly snaring James Penrice this summer.

“There is an open door, a small window of opportunity for Celtic. Let me remind you that Celtic wanted him before he came to AEK from Hearts. Because he is on a list for Celtic, who are looking for a player in that position, that’s worth keeping an eye on,” Oikonomides stated.

READ THIS…“Yes, I think Kasper Høgh will join Celtic,” Italian transfer journalist

Paul Gillespie

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