EFL trio reportedly target loan move for Celtic prospect

Three EFL clubs are interested in taking Celtic’s 20-year-old striker Jack Aitchinson on loan, as reported by James Goodwin.

Celtic have a handful of youngsters looking for potential loan moves, with Lee O’Connor thought to be on the radar of League Two side Tranmere. It seems that his teammate, who already has experience at that level, could soon be joining him.

Swindon Town, who have already signed three attack-minded players in the transfer window, is one potential option according to the report, whilst freshly promoted duo Barrow and Harrogate are also mentioned. Harrogate will be waiting on the outcome of their interest in Jack Diamond before any decision is made, whilst Barrow would be a geographical choice.

Celtic tend to loan their younger players out to the Scottish Championship, with few making loan moves into the English leagues over the last two seasons, so if both O’Connor and Aitchinson do move south of the border it will mark something of a departure from the norm for the Hoops. O’Connor spent some of last season on loan with Partick Thistle, but Aitchinson had a successful spell with Forest Green Rovers.

Aitchison became Celtic’s youngest ever scorer at the age of sixteen back in 2016 when he scored on his full debut against Motherwell. He’s since made two further substitute appearances for the Hoops and enjoyed loan stints with Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic. His move south started exceptionally well, prompting speculation amongst Celtic fans and the local Glasgow press the Hoops might recall him in January to help with their title push.

In the end, he remained with Forest Green and bagged six goals from 25 starts but has been left out of Celtic’s early-season matches, as well as not appearing for them at all in pre-season.

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Our View 

We really liked Aitchinson when he first appeared for Forest Green. After a slowish start, he bagged four in four games through October and November and looked a real livewire.

The goals dried up and he only managed one from October through until the end of the season, which looks to have stopped Mark Cooper going back in for the striker.

His experience of the division would certainly suit Barrow or Harrogate, but we can’t see Swindon taking a chance on him, not when Celtic will expect first-team games to give him senior experience.