Saracchi would be Juan hell of a signing for Celts
Juan Sara believes champions Celtic should place Marcelo Saracchi at the top of their summer shopping list – because the flying full-back can become a Parkhead powerhouse.
Sara is a big fan of 28-year-old Saracchi, who arrived in Glasgow last August on loan from Boca Juniors, before featuring 27 times across a domestic Doublewinning campaign where he was a reliable deputy to Kieran Tierney.
The Uruguayan quickly won a place in the hearts of the Hoops faithful for his swashbuckling displays as he more than held his own during his first taste of the Scottish Premiership.
It’s understood Celtic would be keen to pull off a permanent deal for Saracchi , but talks have stalled with Argentine outfit Boca Juniors for the £2m-rated defender.
Sara, though, reckons the Glasgow giants should pull out all the stops to sign Saracchi on a long-term deal.
Sara, who is now boss of Argentine top-flight outfit Deportivo Maipu and starred for Dundee from 2000-2003, said: “I think Marcelo would be a great summer signing for Celtic.
“He did really well coming off the bench during his loan spell last season and it’s easy to see why Celtic would want him permanently.
“I’m sure Marcelo himself would love to stay longer in Scotland at a huge club like Celtic. He will be buzzing right now.
“At the end of the day, who wouldn’t want to sign for Celtic when they have just won a league and cup double and also have the excitement of Champions League football to look forward to ? I know he was acting as back-up to Kieran Tierney, who was at Arsenal for a spell. So he will have learned a lot from that.
“But, if Celtic go and manage to do a deal to sign him this summer, I’m sure Marcelo could kick on and try and push hard to make that leftback spot his own.”
Sara, who first spotted Saracchi starring for Boca Juniors, was thrilled to see the South American ace embrace the Scottish top flight.
And he’s convinced the former River Plate and RB Leipzig star could light up Scottish football should Celtic strike a deal.
He added: “I knew a bit about Marcelo before he came to Scotland.
“He is talented, for sure. His game is so well-suited to Scotland because there you have to be fast and hard to survive which I definitely know from personal experience.
“After helping Celtic win the title on the final day in such dramatic circumstances against Hearts, he’ll probably thinking of achieving more success.
“I’m sure he would jump at the chance of a move. He’s at the perfect age where he can really develop and get better.
“I’ve no doubt he will have learned so much from last season. He acclimatised to a new environment which can be the making of him.
“It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks. But if Saracchi does sign for Celtic, then I don’t think he will disappoint.”