---
title: "Celtic: Hoops youngster was wanted by Leeds United"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-youngster-was-wanted-by-leeds-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "kaus pandey"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-04-13T15:35:45Z"
modified: "2021-04-13T15:35:45Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops youngster was wanted by Leeds United

**Ross County boss John Hughes has recently revealed that Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde attracted interest from Leeds United.**

Hjelde, [who was loaned out to Ross County by Celtic](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/transfers/spieler/661208) in the summer, had arrived at Parkhead back in 2019 from Rosenborg. He plied his trade with the Celtic youth side and is of course expected back at Parkhead [this summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/profil/spieler/661208).

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### Hjelde hailed by Ross County boss Hughes

[In a recent interview](https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/interview/leo-hjelde-hailed-as-the-next-virgil-van-dijk-as-john-hughes-predicts-huge-future-for-ross-countys-celtic-loanee/), Hughes has hailed young Hjelde and he said that the 17-year-old will play in the Premier League.

Hughes made it clear that while Hjelde has a lot of learning to do, Leeds were looking to sign him before he joined Ross County on the loan deal.

Hughes described himself to be a bit of a Celtic man, saying that he’d want the youngster to play for Celtic and become a regular for the Bhoys in the future.

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[He said](https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/interview/leo-hjelde-hailed-as-the-next-virgil-van-dijk-as-john-hughes-predicts-huge-future-for-ross-countys-celtic-loanee/): “I 100% believe he will reach the Premier League. Leo is going to be the next Virgil Van Dijk, trust me on that, trust me. He has got a lot to learn but for being a young kid, to come on loan during Covid in this climate, what he’s produced has been absolutely fantastic.

“He has still got a lot of learning but before he came here Leeds United were after him. I think he signed an extension to his Celtic contract for this loan to go through. He is going to be a centre-back but he can play left-back.

“I am a wee bit of a Celtic man and I would love to see him make his debut for Glasgow Celtic and become a regular. I would love nothing more than to go along to Parkhead and see Leo run out there.”

### High praise for Hjelde comes at the right time

The 17-year-old Hjelde has [made nine appearances in all competitions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/leistungsdaten/spieler/661208) for Ross County this season. He’s played [eight times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/leistungsdaten/spieler/661208) in the Premiership.

He has also scored [once in the league](https://whoscored.com/Players/409110/Show/Leo-Fuhr-Hjelde), finding the back of the net against Kilmarnock. In the Premiership, he has picked up a rating of 6.53 ([as per Whoscored](https://whoscored.com/Players/409110/Show/Leo-Fuhr-Hjelde)).

That is a promising sign for Celtic. To earn rave reviews at a young age can certainly help him build up his confidence and with [Kristoffer Ajer being linked](https://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-rispunta-ajer-laxalt-puo-essere-un-jolly-importante-96126) with a Parkhead exit, Hjelde could perhaps prove to be his compatriot’s natural successor in the future.

***In other news, [‘It’s as simple as that’ – Pundit suggests why Howe may have had second thoughts on Celtic job](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-kevin-phillips-cites-pressure-as-main-reason-for-eddie-howe-move-stalling/?preview_id=353057&preview_nonce=f5e23ead62&post_format=standard&_thumbnail_id=191798&preview=true)***