Exeter’s Randall wanted by Celtic
EXETER City winger Joel Randall is being tracked by Scottish giants Celtic as well as Sky Bet Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City, according to reports.
The Athletic claim that the Hoops have been running the rule over the talented winger for some time and could make a move for the 21-year-old this month.
Randall has had a fine breakthrough season at St James Park scoring six times in 14 games, while his performances for the club’s Under-23 side last season also won him many admirers.
Randall, whose father, Adrian, was a professional footballer for the likes of Bournemouth, Aldershot, Burnley, York City and Bury, is another product of the Grecians highly successful youth Academy.
He has cut his teeth with loan spells at the likes of Taunton, Tiverton, Bideford, WestonSuper-Mare and Weymouth but after being given his chance in the Grecians’ first team this season, he has taken it with both hands.
Randall scored on his full league debut, a 2-2 draw at Salford City, and he has bene a stand out player as the Grecians made an impressive start to the 2020/21 League Two season.
The report claims that Randall is out of contract at the end of the season and Celtic want him with James Forrest missing and Mikey Johnston working his way back to fitness after a long-term injury.
However, they are sure to face stiff competition for his signature with the report claiming Swansea, who are currently second in the Championship table, also keen on his services.
The Swans signed Matt Grimes, another Grecians Academy product, from Exeter in a £1.75 million deal in January 2015. He has since gone on to make 129 appearances for the South Wales club and is their club captain.
Meanwhile, the Grecians are back in training ahead of their FA Cup third round clashw ith Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Not since the 1980/81 season have the Grecians progressed to round four of the competition, but they face an Owls side that are 21st in the table, although they have won their lasttwo games since sacking manager Tony Pulis.