Incoming Celtic signing Marcelo Saracchi training at Lennoxtown | OneFootball

Celtic fans were treated to a first glimpse of Marcelo Saracchi in action at Lennoxtown today, thanks to various social media accounts including Celtic Curio, as the Boca Juniors full-back trained with the squad ahead of what is expected to be a season long loan move to the club.

While the deal has not yet been officially confirmed—likely pending international clearance—seeing Saracchi on the training pitch will be a boost for supporters, and his new teammates alike, particularly with a key Glasgow Derby clash coming up this weekend.

The Uruguayan defender offers versatility, capable of playing on either side of the backline.

Marcelo Saracchi of Boca Juniors celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during a Torneo Apertura Betano 2025 match between Union and Boca Juniors at 15 de Abril stadium on January 29, 2025 in Santa Fe, Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)

With Kieran Tierney’s playing time still being carefully managed and Alistair Johnston sidelined for at least 12 weeks, Saracchi’s arrival addresses two challenges at once, giving Brendan Rodgers both cover and competition across the full-back positions.

Saracchi’s career began at Uruguayan side Danubio before a move to River Plate in 2017. After a season in Argentina, he ventured to Germany with RB Leipzig. His spell in the Bundesliga was challenging, with limited game time totaling 27 appearances over three years, including a loan at Turkish club Galatasaray during the 2020/21 season. Three years ago, he signed for Levante in Spain, spending a season before returning to South America with Boca Juniors for a reported £1.5 million fee.

Marcelo Saracchi of Boca Juniors celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during a Liga Profesional 2024 match between Boca Juniors and Godoy Cruz at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 6, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Gustavo Garello/Getty Images)

Internationally, Saracchi has earned nine caps for Uruguay, making his debut in 2018.

His addition to Celtic is expected to bolster the squad defensively while also providing valuable competition for Tierney, particularly as Brendan Rodgers continues to manage his first-choice left-back’s minutes carefully and the manager admitting summer signing Hayato Inamura would benefit from a loan move before, perhaps, being ready next season. With that in mind a loan deal without an option to buy perhaps makes sense.

Celtic’s Europa League Draw

Meanwhile, Celtic’s Europa League group stage draw in Nyon has paired us with a pretty exciting set of opponents: Roma, Feyenoord, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Midtjylland, Utrecht, and Bologna. The format will see each side play a single match against every opponent, with four games at Celtic Park and four on the road.

Marcelo Saracchi of Boca Juniors drives the ball during the Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2024 round of 16 second leg match between Cruzeiro and Boca Juniors at Mineirao Stadium on August 22, 2024 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Saracchi’s arrival seems certain to be as squad filler, but will offer depth and flexibility ahead of both domestic and European challenges.

Now all we need is the Gerry McCulloch interview asking if he’s tasted of Irn Bru, and it will be official!

Niall J

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