Shane Long has already been linked with Celtic but now a former teammate has given him a glowing appraisal after Reading failed to make it to the English Premier League.
Hoops defender Darren O'Dea, who has played with Long at both Reading and with Irish youth teams, says the 24-year old striker would be a hit at Celtic Park if the club was to pursue him.
"Shane came away with Ireland at 16 and that was the first time I saw him," O'Dea said.
"He was raw and he's developed almost day by day. He's getting better and better and he'd be more than capable of doing a job at Celtic."
Long scored 24 goals in the English Championship this season but was unable to help the Royals into the top flight as they crashed 4-2 to Swansea City at Wembley in the playoff final yesterday. His name has been linked with various clubs including West Ham United (unlikely now they were relegated) and of course Celtic.
