Celtic set to sign Australian youngster Daniel Arzani on two-season loan deal

BRENDAN RODGERS last night confirmed Celtic were poised to tie up a two-season loan deal for Australian Daniel Arzani, the youngest player to play at the World Cup.

But there was also some bad news for Hoops fans with Olivier Ntcham a doubt for Wednesday night’s Champions League tie against AEK Athens.

The French midfielder, a key player in Rodgers’ side, suffered an ankle injury in the champions win over Livingston yesterday.

“Olivier took what looked a sore one on the ankle,” said the Celtic boss.

“He will be assessed, but they can be OK once the swelling goes down.”

Declining to comment on reports about any interest in Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna and continuing hopes to sign John McGinn, he was happy to elaborate about Melbourne City’s teenage star Arzani.

“I can say something about him. He is obviously finalising his deal with Manchester City and there are talks with ourselves in order to for him come in as a possibility,” he said.

“He is an exciting young talent and we’ll see if we can get that organised over the next few days.”

Tom Rogic, Arzani’s Australian team-mate in the World Cup in the summer, predicted that would be good news for Celtic supporters.

“Daniel is a good kid, he is only young, 19-years-old, but he is definitely a talent,” Rogic said.

“As an attacking player, he will excite the fans and I know the clubs are working hard to get him here.

“It would be nice to have another Australian about the place.

“He has got bags of potential, as we saw in Russia. He was a bright spark for Australia and we need as many as we can get.

“If we can get him here, it will be a great learning experience for him.

“He is going to come from playing in the A league where you have 27 games and he is going to come here where we have 60-plus games and are fighting in four competitions and playing in front of 60,000 every week, so it will be a great challenge for him.

“He will need a bit of time, but his future is bright.”