Exclusive: Celtic backed to seal Stoke City signing - He could 'rip the league apart" | OneFootball

Don Goodman has given his reaction to reports linking Stoke City winger Million Manhoef with a move to Celtic.

Pundit Don Goodman believes that Stoke City winger Million Manhoef could be a good signing for Celtic, even though he has struggled to deliver consistently during his time at the bet365 Stadium.

Manhoef joined Stoke from Dutch side Vitesse last January for a reported fee of £3 million, and after a strong end to last season, he was widely tipped to kick on this campaign.

However, this season has not been quite as successful as Manhoef would have hoped, with the 23-year-old scoring just six goals and providing four assists in 35 games in all competitions, although he was forced to spend over two months on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in December.

Manhoef's return has coincided with an upturn in form for the Potters that has seen them move up to 18th in the Championship table, five points clear of the relegation zone, but regardless of which division they are in next season, they could be facing a battle to hold on to their star attacker in the summer.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Manhoef has emerged as a possible summer target for Celtic as they identify players who could provide competition for, or even potentially replace Nicolas Kuhn if he is sold, and Stoke may cash in on the winger if they receive a suitable offer.

Don Goodman reacts as Celtic eye Stoke City's Million Manhoef

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman admitted that he expected more from Manhoef at Stoke this season given his talent, but he backed him to be a success at Celtic if he makes the move to Glasgow in the summer.

"Million Manhoef is one of those players that, every time you see him, you can see the potential he has," Goodman said.

"He's got an abundance of talent, but there are so many players out there like him, that have all that talent, but are a bit on the inconsistent side.

"It's about developing that consistency.

"He's still only 23, so he's got growing to do.

"Four goals and four assists in 31 league games this season for Stoke is not bad, but with the ability that he has, it should be better.

"It's notable that in the last 10 games, he's only scored once and assisted once, and that pretty much sums it up.

"It depends what direction Stoke want to go in.

"Personally, if he went up to Celtic, I feel he has the quality to rip the league apart, we've seen it so many times when players from the Championship have gone up and really shone in the Scottish Premiership.

"It's about what Mark Robins wants and what Stoke want and how they view next season."

It is fair to say that Manhoef has not quite hit the levels he is capable of this season, but he has been far from the only Stoke player to underperform in what has been another turbulent campaign for the club.

Manhoef's season was disrupted by his lengthy injury absence, and the managerial turnover at the bet365 Stadium has also not helped the Dutchman, with Steven Schumacher, Narcis Pelach and Mark Robins all implementing different styles of play.

With the Potters looking set to stay in the Championship, they will be looking to climb the table next season under Robins, and Manhoef will be key to any future success, so the club must not sell the winger this summer, even if they were to receive a substantial bid from Celtic.