Opinion: Celtic interest in 11-goal talent could end if Jota stays

A lot of teams are interested in signing Derby County winger Tom Lawrence, it has been reported.

The player is out of contract at the end of next month, and TeamTalk reports that Premier League sides Leeds and Southampton are interested in signing the player, with a host of teams also ‘keeping tabs’ on the player, and Celtic are reportedly one of those teams.

The 28-year-old Welsh international scored 11 goals last season, and you can see why so many sides are interested in the player, as consistent wingers aren’t easy to find in football.

Celtic were lucky enough to have two consistent wingers in the squad in season 2021/22, with Jota and Liel Abada both being key men for the Bhoys in the side winning the Premiership title.

Abada will be at Celtic in season 2022/23, whilst at the moment the Hoops are reportedly trying to get a deal done with Jota to turn his loan deal from Benfica into a permanent one.

Celtic’s reported interest in Lawrence could be dependent on what happens with Jota. You have to imagine that if Jota does stay at Celtic, which no doubt every Hoops fans is the case, then the Bhoys won’t look to sign Lawrence, as there would be too many wingers at the club should both players be at Celtic next season.

It makes sense though for Celtic to be ‘keeping tabs’ on Lawrence and perhaps some other wingers just in case Jota doesn’t stay with the Hoops.

The hope from Ange Postecoglou and everyone involved with Celtic will be that Jota stays at the club, but it is smart to have a contingency plan if the deal doesn’t happen.

You have to imagine that the situation with Jota will be resolved soon, as the Hoops will want to get any deal done as quickly as possible, but if that doesn’t happen, then the Bhoys might well