A Look Through the Window – Celtic’s Wing and a Prayer Summer

Meanwhile his representatives may well view Celtic as an assistant in smoking out interest, particularly from clubs in that sphere who can also offer Champions League football. That’s not to say it won’t happen, more to say the Bundesliga and Frankfurt may well be that player’s preference or at least those of his advisors at this juncture.

Since the cup final the rumour mill has gone into overdrive on Celtic transfer targets. As ever at this stage they are a mix of rehashed January – or even last summer’s – targets alongside some fresh new names to get intrigued by, but bar today’s Bojan Miovski rumours and an out of contract Youssef El Kachati from Telstar the links to strikers seems a bit low key.

Neither option seems particularly inspiring at first glance, nor do they cry Kyogo’s replacement either. Is that because a striker – at least a starting one – is not a priority? If so, I can see why.

Celtic are well served for strikers unless our attacking landscape changes over the course of the summer. Daizen Maeda has proved himself a more than adequate replacement for his countryman now out of favour at Rennes, to the point he’s arguably somewhat wasted on the left wing when exhibiting such ruthlessness in a central position. He’s also ideal for a counter attacking tactical approach for Champions League football, something the manager will be more than aware of as Celtic morph into a more physical unit under Brendan Rodgers with European football in mind.

This alongside a 20-goal support act in Adam Idah and a bright young prospect who is willing to play the role of third choice striker in Johnny Kenny, and we are probably well served for central attackers, if we intend for them to feel they offer something to the team. And unless a big offer comes in for Daizen, we can prioritise other positions particularly if a new contract can fend off such suitors.

Brendan Rodgers posited prior to the season’s end that it may be more beneficial to target an elite winger rather than a striker given financially we may be able to secure a wide player for less of a fee and wages than we would for a similarly talented front man.

Of course, Jota’s injury may well mean both are needed, and Daizen may well be required to play on the left of our attack as Jota recuperates, but the links to Sondre Ørjasæter from Sarpsborg I’m told are very much genuine – and the direct left winger with physicality that Rodgers has asked for, it’s also a deal that can be done, and done quickly, with his club.

Real Valladolid’s La Liga relegation may also assist in attracting Raul Moro, a player Celtic scouted extensively up until an injury scuppered any interest in January. He has long since returned to fitness and form and given Celtic have kept an eye on him since his time at Lazio, Jota’s injury may encourage a revisiting of that one, although his lack of physical presence may be at odds with the managers wishes as he’s more akin in style to Jota than Ørjasæter.

Javi Puado from Espanyol was another that’s not made the rumour stage, but it’s believed there was interest, although the La Liga side’s avoidance of relegation this season and strong competition for his signature may well already have scuppered that move.

Jota’s injury is not the only concern in the wide areas. Nicolas Kühn who it should be remembered would have given Daizen a run for his money as a player of the year candidate had his form not dropped off so markedly after his goal in Munich, is expected to garner interest, unless of course his downturn in in form means he has played himself out of such a move.

We have been linked with right sided attacker Montader Madjed at Hammarby and Oskar Fallenius from Djurgårdens IF a 23-year-old winger comfortable on both the left and right wing, as well as Kasey McAteer an attacking midfielder comfortable on the right wing or centrally in midfield and who Brendan Rodgers knows well from his time at Leicester City.

At this stage the transfer window is yet to open for Scottish clubs, but it may be quite telling at this juncture that the left and right side of Celtic’s attack is producing more links than those who play through the middle.

Perhaps we need to brace ourselves for players who supply the ammunition being our summer priorities rather than an out and out striker. It makes a lot of sense to me.

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