This afternoon, it was announced that young Manchester United left back, Tyler Blackett will be moving to Scottish Champions Celtic on a season long loan.
The English defender played 12 first team games for United last season, and 12 games for their U21’s. This will be Blackett’s third spell on loan, the other two both coming in the 2013/14 season to Blackpool and Birmingham.
The 21 year old has a lot of potential but, as all young defenders do, needs some consistent play time to gain experience as experience is crucial to a defender’s game. He’s played for England at youth at every level, from U16’s to U21’s.
He is Celtic’s second signing from Manchester United this season, having already acquired right back Saidy Janko from Old Trafford at the start of the season, on a permanent deal.
Blackett can play at left back and centre back; his 6’3’’ frame certainly helps in the central role. At left back he’d be competing against 5 year Celtic regular, and Honduras veteran Emilio Izaguirre, who’s scored 3 goals in his 217 Hoops appearances.
At centre back he will have to contend with: Nigerian Efe Ambrose; Ex-City player Dedryck Boyata, who moved up beyond the wall just this season, and scored an own goal at Celtic Park today, against St Johnstone and; prized defender Virgil van Dijk who has been heavily linked to with a move to the Premier League.
Celtic boss, Ronny Deila is most likely bringing in a replacement to cover for van Dijk’s imminent departure.
Blackett will be part of a team that’s almost guaranteed to win the Scottish Premiership and he’ll play in the Europa League. Celtic drew quite a difficult group in Europa, with Ajax, Fenerbahçe and Molde FK ready to challenge them.
This will be a very important, and very useful spell for Blackett, and should greatly develop his play as a defender.
