Celtic transfer exit deal 'agreed' as player with leadership qualities set to join Premiership rivals
The Hoops centre-back has established himself as a regular starter during his loan spell in the Highlands
Celtic B-team captain Mitchell Robertson is set to sign for Scottish Premiership basement boys Livingston.
The Hoops defender, who is currently on loan at SPFL League One promotion hopefuls Inverness Caledonian Thistle, has reportedly agreed a deal to join the struggling West Lothian outfit.
According to the Daily Record, Robertson will remain in the Highlands for the rest of the season to gain vital experience of senior football, with Lions boss David Martindale then integrating the 20-year-old into his squad for next term.
The powerful centre-back is aware he will have to leave the Scottish champions to start playing regular first-team football after spending last season skippering Celtic’s youngsters in the Lowland League.
Opportunities for academy players to break into the senior set-up at Parkhead remain limited, with Robertson instead developed into an established starter at Caley Thistle since moving north last summer.
It’s stated that Celtic have struck an agreement with Livi that will involve future add-ons, meaning Robertson can sort out his long-term future sooner rather than later as he looks to progress his career.
Livingston are currently in the midst of a relegation battle with Kilmarnock and St Mirren, who they sit four and eight points behind respectively.
Commenting on his decision to join Inverness last summer after setting out on his first loan spell in senior football, Robertson said: “I’m excited with this move, the club has big ambitions of where they want to be. It’s been a quick turnaround; I spoke to the gaffer who was great with me so I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Celtic recall homegrown youngster from Lowland League loan spell
Meanwhile, Celtic have recalled fellow academy prospect Aodhan Taylor from his loan spell at East Stirlingshire. The right-back, 17, scored one goal in nine appearances and Shire were keen to retain his services for the remainder of the campaign.
The decision behind his recall is unclear, but Taylor is not the only homegrown youngster who spent the first half of the season out on loan with the likes of Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure getting regular minutes under their belt with Scott Brown’s Ayr United under the cooperation agreement.
Ben McPherson and Josh Clarke have been aiding Partick Thistle’s promotion push, while goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi has been installed as Kilmarnock’s No.1 after initially joining the Ayrshire club on an emergency loan basis in October.