Exclusive: McLeish wowed as Celtic complete late deal for ‘Special’ 27-year-old | OneFootball

Alex McLeish believes new Celtic loan signing Diego Laxalt has “special technical skills”.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Rangers and Scotland manager claimed the 27-year-old will offer versatility and will be able to fit easily into the team.

Celtic confirmed the season-long loan signing of Laxalt late on Monday night after Football Insider revealed a deal had been struck after late-night talks the day before.

The 24-capped Uruguay international, who spent last season on loan at Serie A side Torino, can operate at left-back and left-wing.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon has used a 3-5-2 formation in recent weeks with Greg Taylor playing as a left-wing back.

The Scottish international has featured in all but one of the Bhoys’ games this season and Laxalt will provide some much-needed competition for the 22-year-old

Asked by Football Insider what he made of the signing of the defender, McLeish said: “I’ve only seen Laxalt in small doses. He seems quite a robust kind of player and I don’t know if he’s at the level of his illustrious international teammates for their technical game.

“But you would imagine coming from Uruguay he would have special technical skills.

“I saw him come in at the World Cup in one of the games.

“Laxalt is not a massive household name but he can be one of these players who are so versatile and so easy to slip into any team and fit into a position.

“You have to think Celtic have done tremendous homework on him and they’re not going to bring in a player who is not up to the mark.”

In other news, Football Insider can REVEAL a former Celtic fans’ favourite is set to complete a move to Championship side Middlesbrough.