GREEN LIGHT
Musonda on his way but Gordon out for three months
CELTIC will today look to tie up an 18-month loan deal for Chelsea playmaker Charly Musonda.
But while his arrival will be welcomed by manager Brendan Rodgers, there was bad news regarding goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who faces three months on the touchline after damaging medial ligaments in his knee in the weekend win over Hibernian.
Musonda (right) was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s FA Cup victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge yesterday and the 21-year-old is expected in Glasgow this morning to finalise a switch to the Scottish champions until next summer.
Despite late interest from Spanish side Leganes, Celtic are close to getting a deal for the Belgian over the line.
Deprived of attacking guile recently through injuries to Tom Rogic and Stuart Armstrong, Musonda’s capture would allow Rodgers to approach the forthcoming Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg with renewed confidence.
Brussels-born Musonda joined Chelsea as a 17-year-old from Anderlecht and spent the latter half of last season on loan at Real Betis. Celtic have explored
the possibility of buying the attacking midfielder at this juncture but have been told he is still part of Antonio Conte’s long-term plans. The player, who has made seven first-team appearances for Chelsea this season, hinted that the switch to Celtic was imminent yesterday by liking an Instagram post which suggested a loan move to Scotland would be good for his career. He was also the only player in the Chelsea squad who did not take part in the post-match warm-down. The Belgian Under-21 international is set to become Rodgers’ third capture of the transfer window after Marvin Compper and Lewis Morgan. Dundee defender Jack Hendry remains a target ahead of the window closing on Wednesday night. Rodgers will also move to sign a goalkeeper before then after Gordon was injured at the weekend. The 35-year-old has damaged his medial ligaments after a collision with former team-mate Efe Ambrose. He went for a scan yesterday and the outcome suggests a three-month battle back to fitness. Rodgers can turn to the experienced figure of Dorus de Vries but, with teenager Conor Hazard having joined Falkirk on loan last week, will need to draft in a suitable back-up to the Dutchman. Leigh Griffiths is also likely to miss the tie with the Russians next month after suffering a recurrence of a calf injury after scoring the only goal of the game against his former club. Moussa Dembele, the subject of a failed bid from Brighton earlier in the window, made his first appearance of the year when he replaced the Scot. Mikey Johnston, the Scotland Under-19 winger, has also been sidelined until April.