Celtic failed to secure a return for Marcelo Saracchi on a permanent basis. The Uruguayan left-back was excellent on loan from Boca Juniors last season.

While he was very much a cover option to Kieran Tierney, whenever given a chance, Saracchi impressed.

And with Tierney's injury record, you do need to have a reliable back-up option around at all times. So, bringing back Saracchi on a permanent basis felt like a no-brainer.

Yet, somehow, Celtic did not make the move permanent, even though it is believed that Boca Juniors are willing to let him leave for a reasonable transfer fee.

It does not make much sense, to be very honest. But now, all we can do is look towards the future. That would mean signing a capable cover option for Tierney. And it looks like a Scottish left-back is on their radar.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Celtic have inquired about James Penrice as an option to support Tierney next season.

Penrice is a Scottish left-back, who knows the Premiership very well, having played for Hearts, Partick Thistle, Livingston and East Fife in the past.

It was only last year that he moved to AEK Athens. Could a move back to Scotland already be on the cards?

And if it is, is it the right move for Celtic, after they passed on the chance to bring back an already proven Saracchi?

The one positive that nobody can deny about Penrice is his experience of playing in the Scottish Premiership. If the Hoops end up signing, there should not be any fear regarding adjustment.

A lot of fans would not be particularly impressed about the idea of bringing in someone who has never even represented Scotland at the international level.

It simply does not feel like a move that will improve the squad at left-back if you consider him a one-for-one replacement for Saracchi.

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The one standout quality about Penrice's game is his ability to create from left-back. He was in the 92nd percentile for chances created and the 94th percentile for successful crosses in the Greek league last season, per 90 minutes.

But there are several other aspects of his game, especially defensively, where the numbers are pretty worrying and might not be suitable for someone you are looking to bring to Celtic. Let's see if the move does happen.

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