Neil Lennon's summer strengthening mission looks set to secure its first target as 18-year-old midfielder Luca Connell nears a move away from Bolton.
The Championship club are in crisis as financial turmoil continues. Per the Scottish Sun, Celtic are in discussions about a fee for the youngster who recently trained with the Republic of Ireland senior side.
The teen had to leave the training squad due to injury but he left a lasting impression, as manager Mick McCarthy told Balls.ie last month.
![celtic signing](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAxOVxcXC8wNlxcXC8xMzE4NDQwMlxcXC8xNzEwNjMyLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjYxN1wiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImRkZTRjOTY0MGI0ZTdhZTdlY2YyY2M2YWZlYjViMjFhNWIzZGZmMTIifQ==/celtic-close-in-on-deal-for-promising-young-irish-midfielder-luca-connell.jpg)
"A lovely personality about him. Real, pleasant, lovely young fella," he said.
He stood out in training, everybody was impressed with him. I just saw him saying goodbye to all the lads. Each and everyone gave him a hug. 'Good luck, get fit.' See you next time. Everyone took to him as a person and a player. It's sad for him to be going because it was a good opportunity for him.
Connell is a third-year scholar at Bolton and thus the club would be due compensation if a deal can be agreed.