Manny Perez and Andrew Gutman join Celtic with eye to the future

Was it just in Austria, I wasnt sure if he played at CP or not as well?

Was going to think on the brexit nonsense in relation to Foley above as well, without getting in to it at all in here, it does make one realise how much the EU wasnt as restrictive as we are made to think, when it is UK laws/governing bodies that are the issue in this case (if I understand that part correct?)

Either way, it's a mess in my opinion. We do it to ourselves more than anything else.

 

Scotland being independent and re-joining the EU would certainly help in terms of player eligibility.

 

MANNY who? It’s fair to say a lot of Celtic fans have forgotten Emmanuel Perez.

The USA Under-20s defender was one of Brendan Rodgers’ last signings as Hoops boss.


Highly-rated Perez penned a three-year deal on the same day as fellow Yank ace Andrew Gutman, who snubbed a move to Rangers.

But since then, we have heard very little about Perez, 21, as he fights for a work permit to get to the UK.


Having just ended the campaign on loan with North Carolina FC in America’s second-tier, the right-back hopes the red-tape issues, which have stopped him playing in Scotland, can finally be resolved.

Perez said: “If I could get there tomorrow then I would get a flight. It would be a dream come true for me.

“I’m in love with Celtic. We have the best fans in the world. I have a Celtic TV account, so I’ve been keeping up with the games.

“If I can get my permit to go through, we can just move forward from there.


“My agent and I are trying to sort things out, and have been in constant communication with the club.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to work it out soon.

“Our season ended about a week ago, so we’re just trying to get myself over there.”

Perez came through the college ranks in America, and caught the attention of a Hoops scout during a training camp in Spain.

After being invited over to Parkhead for a trial, he impressed ex-boss Rodgers.



Perez added: “I arrived just before Brendan Rodgers left Celtic. I had a lot of good conversations with him.

“I speak Spanish and so does he, so it was fun talking to him. He was really nice with the players.

“It was good to meet a legend and gaffer like him, and he’s doing well at Leicester which is good to see.

“Brendan leaving Celtic so soon after I signed was frustrating, but you’ve just got to adapt to situations.

“I haven’t had a chance to play in front of Neil Lennon, so I’d love to get that opportunity if I can get a permit to get over there.

"It would be my job to show what I’ve got to him. Celtic flew me to Glasgow to run some tests when I had an injury, and I got to meet Neil and a lot of the players there.

“It was a little frustrating I couldn’t play because of an ankle ligament injury.

“But it was nice to be there for a little bit.”

Perez was blown away by the quality of the Hoops squad, and keeps in contact with winger Mikey Johnston.




He said: “I’m really close with Mikey. We still talk to this day, and I always like to see how he’s doing.

“Odsonne Edouard and Mikey really impressed me. And obviously Scott Brown is a class player.

"He is always really clean and technical, so it was nice training with those players, really humbling.

“Mikey Johnston is an excellent player. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Perez would face huge competition from Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Abd Elhamed to play in his favourite role.

He added: “I like to think I’m adaptable in a lot of positions, not just one. I’ve been known to play right-wing and right-back.


“I guess we could say I’m a right-wing back! I like to use my aggression and pace to get up the flank, and also provide good service for the forwards.

“That’s a big part of my game I’ve been working on.

“I watch a lot of the Celtic matches, and Jeremie and Hatem are talented players who have been doing well.

“There’s a lot of players in that position, but I’m up for the challenge and competing for a place.”


Perez is due to return to Celtic next month, but could be farmed out again if his work permit issues continue.

He said: “Our season is over and the loan ends in November, so we are just trying to find out the next steps. North Carolina was a good club to be at, a good organisation that helped me develop a lot as a player.

“I’d love to try and get in the first team at Celtic. That’s my goal.

“If it is another loan, then we can have talks with different clubs and my agent, but I want to be at Celtic.”

It’s the first Old Firm derby of the season this weekend, and Perez will tune in from across the pond.

He added: “I will be watching, definitely! I can’t miss the derby. I dream of getting the chance to play in an Old Firm game one day."

 

See really who the * are these guys? Have they any chance of remotely getting near the first team?

 

Ohhhhh waaaaaaaa he said old firm.

 

What a Yank!

 

Squad fillers at best if they do ever get here, just punt.

 

* * man.

 

Actually liked the look of Gusman.

 

Saw someone commenting on a recent performance of his and said he was utter pish.

 

Another in the list of absolutely bizarre signings.

 

Honestly these are probably the bizarrest.

 

What a crock of * transfers and more wasted money.

 

*, mind these two

 

Even Portand have signed him and dont want to play him...

Weird purchase were these two!

 

Some pler, he'll be missed...