CELTIC’S top teenage prospect Jude Bonnar is being lined up for a loan switch to Scott Brown’s Ayr United.
The move has been mooted with reports the champions are about to have talks with the Championship side after discussions over a co-operation agreement with Queen’s Park stalled amid off-the-field issues.
The Hampden outfit are unable to commit to a long-term partnership with the Hoops after Willie Haughey decided to withdraw his financial backing.
The second-tier club previously spent an astonishing £5.7million, but will now be required to drastically cut back expenditure to around £1million per year without the support of the one-time Celtic director who will officially end his association with the club in June 2026, when the current five-year deal concludes.
IT TAKES TWO…former Celtic captain Scott Brown and Hoops gaffer Brendan Rodgers were in opposite dug-outs in the 1-1 draw in the friendly at Somerset Park a year ago.
The SFA, of course, gave clubs the go-ahead to form partnerships with the aim of providing more pathways to first-team football for young Scottish players between the ages of 16 and 21.
With Queen’s Park financial predicament, Celtic have now decided to look elsewhere and it has been reported they are in now in discussions with Ayr United, according to the Scottish Sun.
An agreement between the clubs is expected to be announced – which is bound to be good news for the champions’ legendary former captain Brown, who is now entering his second full season in charge at Somerset Park.
The way will be open for some of the Hoops’ most promising young talent to get game-time in the Championship – and it looks as though 19-year-old midfielder Bonnar could be the first of a few to head for Ayr.
The highly-rated kid made the first-team breakthrough last season when he had a 10-minute cameo in Brendan Rodgers’ team’s 5-1 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead in February.
Bonnar replaced £11million man Arne Engels to make his debut for the champions.
Now he could be given the opportunity to have some extended appearances at Broony’s club.
