Celtic are closing in on a one-year loan deal for Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips, according to The Times. The Hoops are in desperate need of defensive cover amid injuries to Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, and Welsh, and the 26-year-old could provide just that.
Phillips initially came through at Bolton before making the move to Anfield in 2016. There, he has made 29 first-team appearances across the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.
The imposing, six-foot-three defender has also endured a few loan spells at Bournemouth and Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart. Glasgow could well be his next temporary destination.
With the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez ahead of him in the centre-half pecking order in Merseyside, a move away suits the Englishman best. Celtic can offer him consistent minutes, and at the minute, he would likely slot in at the heart of defence alongside Gustaf Lagerbielke.
If Phillips, who has the same agent as current Celts David Turnbull and Greg Taylor, indeed signs, it will be interesting to see if he plays at Ibrox on Sunday. Few are confident of Liam Scales starting, and having someone of Phillips’ pedigree available would likely be welcomed.
