Report: Liverpool and Celtic want talented youngster Harry Stone

By Lee Clarke

Liverpool and Celtic have been credited with an interest in signing Hearts goalkeeper Harry Stone. Edinburgh News claims both the giants are keen to secure the youngster’s services.

The 17-year-old has made one appearance for the first-team at Tynecastle. He kept goal during a 3-1 victory over Cowdenbeath in the Challenge Cup back in August.

In December, boss Daniel Stendel promoted the teenager to train with the first-team and shortly after he replaced Colin Doyle as the club’s third-choice stopper.

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Hearts are thought to be quite relaxed by the situation. Stone has a contract with the Edinburgh-based club until 2021 and that does offer them some time.

Both Celtic and Liverpool are giants of the game, however. If one of those two does emerge with some concrete interest, Hearts might be obliged to accept their advances.

Stone has been warming up on the pitch with first-team goalkeepers Joel Pereria and Zdenek Zlamal of late. He is officially a player in the under-18 ranks but the experience of working with the two senior custodians is bound to help.

Celtic could actually be in the market for a goalkeeper in the summer. Fraser Forster is on loan from Southampton, whilst Craig Gordon is massively out of favour.

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That would leave Scott Bain as the only senior goalkeeper at Parkhead and the jury remains out on his suitability to play for the Hoops.

The pathway to first-team stardom might be further away at Liverpool. Alisson is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, with the prove Adrian currently the understudy.

The current third choice is Caoimhin Kelleher and he is rated extremely highly by the coaching staff at Anfield.