West Brom-Celtic row: it’s about Rekeem Harper, not Oli Burke

There is a subtext to the unedifying comments by West Bromwich Albion technical director, Luke Dowling, concerning Oliver Burke’s care at Celtic last season: Rekeem Harper.

Dowling told the Daily Record, “Once Brendan [Rodgers] left to go to Leicester the treatment he got from the manager that’s in place now is something we don’t expect for one of our players.”  Short of curbing Burke’s playing time, as Brendan Rodgers also did, there were no issues between Neil and Oliver.

Rekeem Harper is a completely different matter.  The 19-year-old central midfielder is out of contract next week and Celtic can sign him for Training Compensation money.  He is coming off a breakthrough season at West Brom, where he made 12 league starts since his first in December.  Celtic are monitoring the situation, while Dowling is doing what he can to persuade the player to stay in the Midlands.

These comments are all a bit transparent.  They are not based on reality and I would be amazed if they convinced Rekeem Harper he should sign a new contract with West Brom.