SCOUSE ABOUT THAT?
Hartley: Tony’s Liverpool move is the surreal deal
PAUL HARTLEY last night revealed Tony Gallacher is in dreamland after winning a “surreal” move from Falkirk to Liverpool.
The 18-year-old travelled south yesterday to complete a £200,000 switch to the Anfield giants following a successful trial earlier this month.
The left-back has been linked with interest from the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Rangers and Stoke since breaking into the Bairns first team in 2015 aged just 16.
But he will now try to follow in the footsteps of Scotland star Andy Robertson at Liverpool after the Reds won the race for his signature.
Hartley said: “It’s an unbelievable move for Tony, it’s great for the kid.
“For a player to come from Falkirk and go to Liverpool doesn’t happen a lot.
“It’s a dream come true and we can’t stand in the way of that.
“It’s an outstanding move for him and hopefully he goes there and proves how good a talent he is.
“There has been a lot of transfer talk surrounding him over the last 18 months since he came into the team but to go to Liverpool is a bit surreal for him. We wish him all the best. I’m sure he has a bright future ahead.” Gallacher has made 17 appearances for the Falkirk first team this season and will initially join up with Liverpool’s Under-23s. His move comes just weeks after the Bairns cut their ties with the Forth Valley Football Academy that helped develop the defender. And another Academy graduate, Cieran Dunne, could also win a transfer south after going on trial with Blackburn. The 17-year-old, who made his debut for Falkirk in October and has played six times, is training with the English League One outfit this week after impressing scouts. Hartley said: “Cieran is down in Blackburn for the next few days and we’ll see where it goes.” Meanwhile, Hartley has predicted a bright future for Celtic youngster Conor Hazard after snapping up the highly-rated keeper on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year-old Northern Irishman spent the first half of the campaign as Brendan Rodgers’ third choice and was on the bench for the Hoops in home wins over Dundee and Partick Thistle. And Hartley, left, said: “We just felt we needed a little bit more competition in the group and when Conor became available from Celtic we felt we had to bring him in. “He has a bright future ahead and we’re delighted to bring Conor to the club.”
SCOTLAND star Andy Robertson has been warned he has a fight on his hands to stay in Liverpool’s side.
Left-back Alberto Moreno is now fit again after an ankle problem and has vowed to do all he can to win his place back. Moreno said: “Andy’s doing well. But I’m determined to win my place back.”