Celtic’s bid for a sizeable stake in Rovers

CELTIC are understood to be in talks about acquiring an interest in Shamrock Rovers. If negotiations are successful, the deal would see the Scottish giants become substantial shareholders in the Tallaghtbased club. Celtic’s majority shareholder, Irish billionaire businessman and financier Dermot Desmond, is reputed to be behind the ground-breaking move which could see the Glaswegian Hoops form a strategic alliance with their Dublin counterparts. In return for their investment, Celtic would expect to have first call on rising Rovers stars through the club’s academy in Roadstone, while young Celtic players could gain first team experience with Rovers in the League of Ireland. The clubs already enjoy close links and Celtic have visited Tallaght Stadium for a friendly for the last two summers. The two managers, Brendan Rodgers and Stephen Bradley, are also said to have a high regard for each other. In a statement to Sportsmail, Celtic acknowledged their ‘close relationship’ with Rovers. The Bhoys, who have supplied 30 players to the Republic of Ireland over the years, are eager to strengthen their links to Ireland. In the early days of the Desmond era, there were a cluster of young Irish players

at Celtic Park, such as Liam Miller, Colin Healy, Jim Goodwin and Michael Doyle. Talks are due to continue this month when Ray Wilson, the major shareholder at Rovers, returns from Australia. Multi-club ownership has become increasingly popular in football in recent years. The City Football Group are a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, which owns the trio of Manchester City, New York City and Melbourne City, while energy drinks giant Red Bull owns Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig.