Baxter backs Fortune for Hoops

Former South Africa coach Stuart Baxter believes Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will get “the ideal professional” if he can sign Quinton Fortune.

The Bafana Bafana international is the subject of Hoops’ interest after being released by Manchester United.

But, after working with the 29-year-old, Baxter is convinced Strachan will be making two signings in one if he can persuade Fortune to move to Glasgow.

Baxter told The Scottish Daily Star: “Without doubt, Quinton will be one of the signings of the summer and I can understand why Gordon wants him.

“People may say he has not played much for Manchester United but he had bad luck with injuries and, when you compete with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes for a game, it’s always hard to get a run in a side and it’s no disgrace if you don’t play every week.

“But, for me, at South Africa, he was the ideal professional. I wanted to play him as a holding midfielder and he was excellent.

“He can also drive on and attack and I knew when I was making up my bench, I didn’t need cover at left-midfield or left-back as Quinton could play there as well.”