As we approach the silly season of the transfer window, reports are rife that U.S.A. international defendee Mark McKenzie would be keen on a January move to Celtic. Celtic expressed interest in the Philadelphia Union stopper back in the summer but opted instead to sign Shane Duffy on loan from Brighton.
McKenzie earned his first US call up way back in December 2018 for a friendly against Panama but didn’t win his first cap until February 2020 when he appeared as a substitute in a friendly against Cost Rica.
McKenzie admits he is familiar with Celtic and Scottish football and has done his research on our gams and hope to emulate Virgil Van Dyke’s career path. The American said, “I’ve done my fair share of research (on Celtic and the Scottish Premiership) and I’ve always loved football so I’ve known about Celtic for a while. You hear about Celtic and the path of Virgil Van Dijk – going from there to the Prem. I know about Celtic and the league – and a lot of other leagues. But it’s an exciting time, though.”
McKenzie signed a homegrown player contract with Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union. He would make 20 appearances in his first season with the Union. McKenzie’s appearances and performance on the backline earned him a nomination for the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Award.
Celtic will certainly be hoping that the young centre back follows in Van Dykes shoes but they must first get the deal over the line as the young centre back is in demand and attracting attention from other European big guns