Celtic are reportedly scouting Velez Sarsfield fullback Francisco Ortega as the Scottish champions scour the market to provide competition for Greg Taylor.
The 23-year-old has been capped at youth level by Argentina, having played at the Under 20 World Cup in 2019, and he also featured at the Olympics last summer.
Fans on Twitter are surprised that the Hoops are looking so far afield as they look to strengthen the squad, and while some are concerned that signing a South American may not be a good idea, others believe it could be a shrewd piece of business:
Looks a baller
— Shuggz 🍀 (@DougieeBhoy) May 21, 2022
Interesting 🧐
— ray goodwin (@Gianfrancopele) May 21, 2022
Exactly the profile of player we should be looking for
— McGregor Mask (@McGregorMask) May 21, 2022
We’re looking at players in the Argentine league now, our scouts are all over the gaff
— Max (@MaxStark04) May 21, 2022
Izaguirre did well, Morelos has worked out for rangers. I think Times have changed since the days of scheidt
— Silage SZN (@KieranC67) May 21, 2022
Young & talented..There Hungry for Football in Argentina..So he would fit in well 💚🇳🇬👌
— Mark Cunningham (@MarkCun04536924) May 21, 2022
Our recruitment is doing bits 🇦🇷🇲🇽🇳🇬🇮🇷🇮🇶🇸🇪 just saying if we get jaehaze onyadika and campos and Ortega Celtic has some great youth potential
— Shay Mullen (@ShayMullen3) May 21, 2022
There would definitely be concerns about Ortega acclimatizing to a new country and a new league but, with Taylor also in the squad, there would be no need to throw the Argentine in at the deep end.
Whether Celtic will end up making a formal approach for Ortega, we shall have to wait and see. The club are also looking at other options, including Hammarby’s Mohanad Jeahze.
