CELTIC are set to lose one of their top young star’s in Leo Hjelde. We reported last night, Leeds are growing confident of signing the talented Norwegian defender according to the Yorkshire Post.

The Cynic’s Christian Wulff has added some meat to the bone of this story by claiming Leo’s representatives were very unhappy by the way countryman Kristoffer Ajer was dealt with this summer. The defender was promised a move by the old regime but Celtic dug in until they got an offer that satisfied them – towards the end of Ajer’s tenure he made it clear to Celtic he wasn’t happy that they were holding his move hostage.

We can totally see the club’s point of view on that one. Kristoffer didn’t kick a ball for Celtic in pre-season and you have to imagine it’s because he’s quietly downed tools. The player got his move to Brentford and the club got a good fee.

https://twitter.com/TheCynicWolf/status/1425561313242124289?s=20

We very much doubt if the Ajer move had happened in a more seamless way that it would have changed Leo’s mind on a move to Leeds. As Christian admits himself, personal terms have been agreed for some time and this link has gone on for the past six months or so.

It’s almost as if the youngster’s reps want to pin the blame on his Celtic exit on the club rather than the player wanting to leave.

If they were clever, they would just mention the lack of opportunities and structure at the club at Lennoxtown when it comes to our young players. Until the colts side was admitted into the Lowland league, there was very little for young players to do. Leo went out on loan to Ross County at the back end of last season so he could get some game time.

It’s a shame the player is leaving, we had high hopes for the defender but we must concentrate on the players who are here and develop them as best we can to be first team ready.