Celtic closing in on Liverpool defender Nat Phillips

Scottish Premiership giants Celtic are close to agreeing a deal to take Liverpool defender Nat Phillips on a season-long loan, per The Times.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on adding the 6ft3 defender to his squad following an early season defensive injury crisis.

Celtic defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and new signing Maik Nawrocki are out of action for several weeks with hamstring injuries. 

Also, centre-back Stephen Welsh is unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery. 

Rodgers admitted that it was a worrying situation, and they have moved to address the problem.

The games are already coming thick and fast for the Bhoys as they face rivals Rangers in the famous Old Firm derby this Sunday, while their Champions League group stage games will start soon.

Celtic will not have Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, and Welsh for these games. 

However, Rodgers will be delighted by the addition his side is close to securing. 

Phillips is a sturdy defender who joined Liverpool’s academy from Bolton Wanderers before making his senior team debut in 2020 after the Reds cut short his loan to VfB Stuttgart.

After failing to seal a starting spot under Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, he went on another loan to AFC Bournemouth, although the German manager had nothing but praise for the Bolton-born centre-half.

Klopp claimed he wanted to keep the 26-year-old as he was a reliable defender. He also praised him for being a good presence around the training ground.

Phillips will get a fresh start after failing to start any of Liverpool’s games this season. He will hope to play a pivotal role in Celtic’s campaign.

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Speaking of Celtic’s season, things have not started smoothly for Rodgers as they have been knocked out of the Scottish League Cup by Kilmarnock. 

The Glaswegian giants are the current holders of the title but are out of the competition in the early stage.

Rodgers will hope his side can show what they are made of in the derby this Sunday to help fans forget the hiccups they have had this early into the season.