By Noel Whelan

23rd Jul, 2022 | 10:08am

Celtic could gazump Premier League clubs to sign Japhet Tanganga after update - pundit

Noel Whelan has claimed Champions League football will make a move to Celtic an “attractive proposition” for Tottenham star Japhet Tanganga.

The former Leeds and Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the transfer of former Spurs star Cameron Carter-Vickers to Parkhead could also play a part in signing the 23-year-old defender.

According to Italian outlet Milan News (20 July), AC Milan are racing Celtic, Bournemouth and Monaco for Tanganga – who wishes to leave Tottenham for first-team football this summer.

Everton have also been linked with a swoop for the versatile defender – who can play at centre-back and right-back.

Celtic will play Champions League football from the group stage this season after regaining the Scottish Premiership title from Rangers in 2021-22.

Whelan suggested playing in Europe’s premier competition could be a “massive temptation” for any player considering a move to the Hoops.

He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s an attractive proposition [Champions League football], isn’t it?

“You also know you’re going to be up there fighting for every competition domestically and playing in front of 60,000 every week.

“We’ve seen Carter-Vickers go from Tottenham to Celtic, and we’ve seen it work. I’m sure they’ll have had chit-chats about what it’s like if this interest is real.

“Playing in the Champions League is a massive plus and will be a massive temptation for any player, whether they currently play in the Premier League or not.”

Carter-Vickers joined Celtic this summer in a deal potentially worth £10million after a successful season-long loan during the 2021-22 campaign.

Tanganga made 10 Premier League starts last season but had his campaign cut short by a knee injury in March.

In other news, Alex McLeish questions Ange Postecoglou after “surprise” Celtic transfer news.