O’Rourke Exclusive: Major update on Celtic and Szmodics after development

Celtic are set to be blown out of the water in any attempts to sign Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Sources told Football Insider last week (30 March) that the Hoops were set to battle Brentford and other bottom-half Premier League sides for Szmodics, 28, this summer.

Now, it is believed that Brendan Rodgers’ side will be unable to compete with the riches of the English outfits in terms of a transfer fee and wages.

The Republic of Ireland international is the top goalscorer in the English Championship and well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Blackburn will find it very hard to keep hold of him should a significant offer come in.

Celtic chances of signing Sammie Szmodics hit the rocks

He has bagged 21 goals in the second tier and 27 in all competitions this season – the best return rate of his career.

Szmodics’ excellent form saw him earn his first international cap during the recent break with a start against Belgium last month (23 March) – a 0-0 draw.

He has never played above Championship level but has bagged 101 goals and 38 assists across 348 total appearances at clubs including Blackburn, Colchester United and Peterborough United.

Szmodics is an attacking midfielder by trade, but his impressive versatility has allowed him to regularly play as a centre-forward as well as in left midfield this season.

The Hoops are still expected to sign a new attacker this summer, with Football Insider revealing (8 March) that they are working on bringing in an “A-list talent” to replace Liel Abada.

Celtic remained top of the league table after their 3-0 away win against Livingston on Sunday afternoon (31 March).

They are next in action in a crucial Old Firm clash against Rangers at Ibrox at midday on Sunday (7 April).

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