"Likened to Jamie Vardy" - Pundit reacts as Celtic, Rangers and Forest eye Bristol City ace | OneFootball

Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer believes a move to a Premier League club for Tommy Conway would result in the striker being sent out on loan to the Championship, after the striker was linked with moves to Celtic, Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Bristol City academy graduate, Tommy Conway only became a regular first team player last season, after making his Championship debut in 2020/21, but he has quickly become the gem of Ashton Gate.

The 21-year-old striker has scored 15 goals in 54 Championship appearances for the Robbins over the past two seasons and has quickly seen his value rise.

After a tough start to the season, with Conway missing most of the opening couple of months of the season with a hamstring injury, he has been back in action since late September and with eight goals in all competitions.

Suitors in high places

Conway's FA Cup heroics, scoring in both fixtures against Premier League West Ham, including the winning goal in the replay to put Bristol City through to the fourth round, have helped him gain a number of high profile suitors.

According to Football Insider, Conway has been on the radar of a number of top clubs following his breakthrough season last term.

The striker's impressive early career statistics have attracted interest from Scottish giants, Rangers and Celtic, along with a trio of Premier League sides in Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Conway is contracted until the summer of 2025 and Bristol City could look to cash in on the forward's services before his contract expires.

Former England man believes Conway needs to "keep playing" to continue education and development

Former Nottingham Forest and West Brom man, Carlton Palmer has had his say on the interest swirling round the young striker.

The 18-time England international compared Conway to Jamie Vardy, but believes a move to a Premier League side at this stage of his career could result in limited minutes and a potential move back to the Championship.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday star said: "Celtic, Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Wolves are but a few of the clubs monitoring Bristol City's talented young striker, Tommy Conway.

"Conway, the 21-year-old centre forward burst onto the scene last season, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. He has backed that up this season, scoring eight goals despite missing seven weeks of action through injury.

"The Scottish under-21 international has enhanced his growing reputation by scoring goals in the two FA Cup third round clashes with West Ham, proving he can mix it with the very highest level.

"Conway has been likened to Jamie Vardy in the way he plays, high measures indeed.

"As we have repeatedly said, to continue education and development as a young player you need to keep playing. Any move to a Premier League club would result in a loan move back to a Championship club in any event.

"It's hard to put a price on this young man, but we are talking in the millions if he continues progressing in the manner and rate he is currently."

Moving now would not be the best decision

A move to a Premier League club at this stage in Conway's career may not be the best decision for the young striker.

The 21-year-old has huge potential, but needs time to develop. Sitting on the bench in the Premier League will not help in his development and Bristol City, the club he knows best, is the right place for that.

Conway needs to stay with Bristol City for at least the remainder of the season and continue to prove himself as a starting striker in the Championship.