Celtic pull off Shim Mheuka coup as scale of rival transfer interest emerges

Celtic reportedly fought off significant Championship interest to land highly-rated Chelsea youngster Shim Mheuka on loan.

The 18-year-old emerged as a surprise Hoops target on the final day of the English transfer window before completing a season-long move to Parkhead, with no option to buy included in the agreement.

Mheuka arrived alongside fellow Chelsea prospect Landon Emenalo, also 18, who joined Celtic on the same terms but is currently nursing an injury.

The striker has already made his Celtic debut, and journalist David Friel believes the Hoops have pulled off an impressive coup given the level of interest in his signature.

Speaking on the Scottish Sun’s Set Piece, Friel said: “Mheuka from Chelsea is the one I’m really, really interested in.

“Because talking to a couple of people down south, there was a lot of interest in him.

“He’s just signed a long-term Chelsea contract. I think they see him as a real star of the future.

“He’s powerful, he’s scored a lot of goals at youth level. He’s scored a lot of goals for England U19s.

“I think Chelsea have really high hopes for him, and I think half the Championship wanted to take him on loan. Celtic have managed to get him.

“I think part of the reason why Celtic have gone for him is that Callum Osmand is obviously injured now. We don’t know how long he’s going to be out for.

“You’re about to lose Yang to the Asian games; Kasper Hogh’s managing this groin injury, so Celtic started to look a little bit light in that area.

“So Celtic managed to get him in.”