CELTIC have been linked with West Ham youngster Stephen Hendrie as a potential replacement for Emilio Izaguirre who could be on his way in the summer.
The former Hamilton star, a lifelong Hoops fan, has been on Ronny Deila’s radar for at least a year and was watched by the SPFL champions before his surprise move to Upton Park at the end of last season.
Parkhead No.2 John Collins spied on Hendrie as he played for Accies in January 2015, but the player penned a contract with the Hammers.
Hendrie is currently on a second loan spell at League One side Southend United, where he has made five appearances and scored one goal.
Izaguirre, 29, is keen to play in the US and is expected to quit the Hoops in June. As CQN reported yesterday, Spanish sides Getafe and Sevilla are also keeping tabs on the Honduran international who is rated in the £750,000 bracket.
Ronny Deila has already stated he would like to keep Izaguirre who has been at the club for six years after his £550,000 move from Motagua. He is out of contract in June next year and may feel that his time at Celtic is coming to a close, given the outstanding form of Kieran Tierney.
The 29-year-old defender has lost his left-back slot to teenager Keiran Tierney during the current campaign and if he moves on, the club will have to search for cover.
Now they are eyeing Hendrie, 21, who is believed to be keen on a return to Scotland.
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