Reading FC Linked With Frozen Out Celtic Defender

Despite bringing in two defenders in the past week, Jaap Stam is reportedly after another, with the Express claiming Celtic's Efe Ambrose is on Reading's radar.

The Nigerian was left out of the Scottish club's squad for their Champions League play-off tie against Hapoel Be'er Sheva last week, and it seems he has no future at Celtic Park under former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers. High-profile blunders against Lincoln Red Imps and Barcelona have meant Ambrose has become out of favour with the Northern Irishman and the club's fans.

He was linked with a switch to Fenerbahce and Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, but Reading are now allegedly the front runners for the 27 year old's signature, with Blackburn Rovers also interested as Shane Duffy's departure from Ewood Park seems imminent. According to the Daily Mail, the Royals are weighing up a bid of £500,000 plus add-ons for Ambrose, who has just a year left on his contract.

Ambrose's natural position is a centre-back, but can also play comfortably as a right-back, suggesting he could be a potential replacement for Chris Gunter if the Welshman leaves Berkshire. But the Express claim that Jaap Stam wants to utilise the 27 year old's ball playing skills and play him further forward in a holding midfield role he usually features in for Nigeria.

Error prone?

Since signing from Israeli side Ashdod four years ago, Ambrose's Celtic career has synonymous with blunders at the back, most recently scoring an own goal against Barcelona in pre-season and gifting Lincoln Red Imps a goal in the Champions League qualifiers. This has led to a lot of criticism from fans, pundits and former manager Neil Lennon, who once said that Ambrose needed to "sort himself out".

But he is a vastly experienced player none the less, lifting the Scottish Premiership four times (unsurprisingly) and earning 51 caps for Nigeria, winning the African Cup of Nations in 2013.

Would you want to sign Ambrose as a defender or holding midfielder? Let us know your thoughts on the rumour in the comments below.