Report: Southampton eye Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde

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Southampton have yet another Celtic player on their radar heading into the summer, with The Scottish Sun reporting that they are looking at Leo Hjelde.

The Saints have produced a number of transfer masterstrokes when signing players from Parkhead in recent years.

The likes of Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama and Stuart Armstrong proved to be inspired additions off the back of their spells at Celtic.

And it appears that Ralph Hasenhuttl has another Hoops man on his radar. According to The Scottish Sun, Hjelde is being monitored by the Premier League side.

The 17-year-old is currently on loan with the Bhoys’ Scottish Premiership rivals Ross County. The teenager has made eight appearances so far, scoring once.

He has predominantly played as a centre-back, but he has also played out on the left.

His form prompted current boss John Hughes to tip the Norwegian for ‘big, big things’. He told Ross County TV that he can see the youngster being around the Celtic first-team upon his return in the summer.

Hjelde’s future will surely depend on the managerial appointment Celtic make. Showing him that the pathway to the Parkhead senior side is there may well tempt him to want to stay.

But it appears that Hoops’ resolve to keep the starlet could be put to the test this summer.