Does anyone remember a young youth prospect called Harry Souttar?
Me neither. But the name did catch my eye, as well as the potential transfer fee that could be involved in his next move, and as I read more about the boy, that is where I found that he had actually began his career at Celtic.
Souttar is the brother of Hearts defender John, and has been tearing it up at Stoke City after his move there from Dundee United back in 2016.
At just 22 years old, Souttar has been tipped by Potters legend and former England international, Mike Pejic, for a £20m move to the English Premier League.
Speaking to HITC, Pejic was glowing in his praise for the Australian international, “He’s got potential to be in a top six side.
“He’s already an international player, his games for Stoke have been his base level and now he can challenge himself at the world level.
“Forget a mid-table team, he needs to be in the Champions League to take him to the full potential.
“If I had been in a Premier League club, I would have bid £20m this summer because who knows what it would cost to get him now. I was delighted when the transfer window shut and he was at Stoke.”
“Anyone watching will see his potential. You look at his brain to start with and his mobility, the way he covers the ground.
“You can see in defensive situations he knows how to mark tight, when to change sides, knowing where the ball is, he’s reading the game well. And he doubles that up with his ability in possession.
“Sometimes it can be too comfortable because he’s that far ahead in the Championship.
“He can stroll through games and when it’s like that, if you’re not careful, you can dip because you can get away with things.
“He needs a Salah or Ronaldo against him to get that sharpness of reaction at the top end.
“That’s how you keep learning and push on again.”
Aberdeen born Souttar, played for Brechin City youths whilst still representing Celtic youngsters before Dundee United snapped him up in 2015.
He earned his move to Stoke City in 2016 where he has since made 48 appearances for the Championship side.
His incredible form didn’t go unnoticed by the Australian Football Federation and despite his career at the Scottish youth international level, Souttar never managed to gain that elusive promotion to the full national team and he chose to represent the Socceroos.
He made a goal scoring debut against Nepal, notching two in a 5-0 World Cup Qualifying rout.