‘He’s beyond us now’ – EFL boss pitches young star, 22, for transfer to Rangers or Celtic after ‘scary improvement’
RANGERS and Celtic are always scouting for the next big thing. But a manager in the EFL reckons he’s found a player so good he’s done their job for them. Willie VassMarc Leonard earned the last of his seven caps for the Scotland U-21s in 2022[/caption] PALeonard (top) helped Northampton Town win promotion last year[/caption] AlamyNorthampton manager Jon Brady reckons he’s a perfect fit for the Old Firm[/caption] And get this – he’s already been on the books at one of them. Northampton boss Jon Brady has been raving about Scotland Under-21 international Marc Leonard, after a stellar second season on loan at the Sixfields Stadium. Leonard, 22, is currently with Brighton but came through the youth ranks at Rangers before being releases and spending four years in Hearts‘ academy. Brighton snapped him up in 2018 but has yet to make his Premier League debut for the Seagulls. He made his professional bow in an EFL Cup game in August 2021, coming on as a sub against Cardiff City. Leonard was in and around matchday squads but at the start of the 2022-23 campaign the decision was made to put him out on loan to Northampton, then in League Two, to gain experience. Former Rangers captain Davie Weir is the technical director at the Amex and is in charge of sending young players out on loan. Leonard helped the Cobblers win promotion to League One last season and this term he’s taken his game to “another level” according to boss Brady. The midfielder has played 46 times for Town in the league, scoring five goals. His contract with Brighton is up at the end of this season and Brady revealed there is transfer interest from the Championship in the young star. But as he prepares to bid him farewell with Northampton safe in League One for another year, he hopes the likes of Rangers and Celtic are tracking his progress for a potential move one day. He told the Daily Record: “I feel for the here and now and for the longer term I would say Marc Leonard is one that both Rangers and Celtic should be looking at. “I know both teams have a lot of talent in the midfield but Marc is an outstanding young Scottish player. “I believe he can go all the way to the top and if Rangers or Celtic were to come in for him then I feel he has the talent to flourish for either side. “He is beyond us now and rightly so. There is a lot of interest in him from the English Championship. “Certainly with the ability he has, for me, he has to be testing himself, at least in the Championship. He would be a huge asset to any team in that league. “The improvement in him has been scary. He came as a very good technical player but now he has gone up so many levels. “He has risen to every challenge we gave him and in the end, he was just grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and being a real difference maker. “He came as a young player but has left Northampton as a man.” AlamyLeonard could be the next Callum McGregor or Ryan Jack[/caption] Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
RANGERS and Celtic are always scouting for the next big thing.
But a manager in the EFL reckons he’s found a player so good he’s done their job for them.
And get this – he’s already been on the books at one of them.
Northampton boss Jon Brady has been raving about Scotland Under-21 international Marc Leonard, after a stellar second season on loan at the Sixfields Stadium.
Leonard, 22, is currently with Brighton but came through the youth ranks at Rangers before being releases and spending four years in Hearts‘ academy.
Brighton snapped him up in 2018 but has yet to make his Premier League debut for the Seagulls.
He made his professional bow in an EFL Cup game in August 2021, coming on as a sub against Cardiff City.
Leonard was in and around matchday squads but at the start of the 2022-23 campaign the decision was made to put him out on loan to Northampton, then in League Two, to gain experience.
Former Rangers captain Davie Weir is the technical director at the Amex and is in charge of sending young players out on loan.
Leonard helped the Cobblers win promotion to League One last season and this term he’s taken his game to “another level” according to boss Brady.
The midfielder has played 46 times for Town in the league, scoring five goals.
His contract with Brighton is up at the end of this season and Brady revealed there is transfer interest from the Championship in the young star.
But as he prepares to bid him farewell with Northampton safe in League One for another year, he hopes the likes of Rangers and Celtic are tracking his progress for a potential move one day.
He told the Daily Record: “I feel for the here and now and for the longer term I would say Marc Leonard is one that both Rangers and Celtic should be looking at.
“I know both teams have a lot of talent in the midfield but Marc is an outstanding young Scottish player.
“I believe he can go all the way to the top and if Rangers or Celtic were to come in for him then I feel he has the talent to flourish for either side.
“He is beyond us now and rightly so. There is a lot of interest in him from the English Championship.
“Certainly with the ability he has, for me, he has to be testing himself, at least in the Championship. He would be a huge asset to any team in that league.
“The improvement in him has been scary. He came as a very good technical player but now he has gone up so many levels.
“He has risen to every challenge we gave him and in the end, he was just grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and being a real difference maker.
“He came as a young player but has left Northampton as a man.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
