Lee Congerton in shock Celtic transfer claim over Ademola Lookman as former chief lifts lid on now Serie A star

Former Celtic recruitment chief flop Lee Congerton has claimed he almost brought Serie A scoring sensation Ademola Lookman to Parkhead.

Congerton is now head of senior recruitment at Atalanta and was praised by their manager Gian Piero Gasperini for urging them to sign the Nigerian international from RB Leipzig, after a spell on loan at Leicester City, last summer. His double against Juventus in his last game took his tally to 13 goals in 19 games and Gasperini said: "Our new director with responsibility for scouting, Lee Congerton, knew Lookman because they were together at Leicester City.

"The club made an important investment in this player and he has worked very well for us." And Congerton, who was widely criticised for poor recruitment during his two-year spell in Glasgow from 2017, revealed Lookman should be playing with the Hoops after aiming to secure his services at Parkhead before leaving to join Brendan Rodgers at Leicester.

He said: "I was pleased to hear the manager say that about me, but I don't like taking all the credit, because it's down to everyone at the club. I tried to get him to Celtic when I was there.

"Sure, I have known him well, since he was a kid, but he's also the one who chose us and he made the right choice. He's a great lad and deserves all the praise and credit he's getting. I hope he continues like this, with goals and assists, with high-level performances for the good of Atalanta."

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