Airdrie hitman Ryan Donnelly is struggling to come to terms with the interest surrounding him, but is dreaming of a move south of the border.
Airdrie striker dreaming of full-time job south of the border
Airdrie hitman Ryan Donnelly is struggling to come to terms with the interest surrounding him, but is dreaming of a move south of the border.
Donnelly, who grew up following Celtic, has been watched by Premier League scouts as well as those from the SPL after netting 24 times in 25 games.
They were apparently in attendance as the 20-year-old part-timer scored twice in the 6-2 Scottish Cup defeat by Dundee United last weekend.
And while he would be humbled to play for Celtic one day, Donnelly says he would jump at the chance to move to an English club first.
"I'm a Celtic fan and used to go to some of their games," he told the
Daily Record. "Obviously it's great to hear my name linked with them.
"But if I had the choice of going to Celtic or to a club in England, I'd want England. A lot of young Scottish boys are thinking that way now.
"It's a better standard of football down there. I wouldn't turn Celtic or Rangers down if they were the only clubs watching me but England is where I want to play.
"I'm not desperate to leave Airdrie but I am desperate to get full-time football, which would allow me to give up my job."
Donnelly divides his time between football and working for a builder, and he is still almost embarrassed to hear his name mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Celtic.
"To hear people talking about me is weird," he added. "I've heard Celtic might be after me and just to think about that is incredible. It feels unreal."
