Celtic Set To Rival Ligue 1 Heavyweights For This Turkish Sensation: One To Succeed McGregor In Midfield? | OneFootball

If a report from the Portuguese outlet A Bola is believed to be true, Celtic have joined the race for the emerging Turkish midfielder Demir Ege Tiknaz. French side Lille were already keeping an eye, and his impressive loan stint with Rio Ave has now drawn the attention of the Scottish champions.

The 20-year-old Turkey youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Besiktas and made 29 senior appearances before joining Vilacondenses last summer. Despite joining on an initial season-long loan, the Portuguese outfit have an option to make the move permanent for €5m. They must trigger the clause by next Tuesday, and any negotiation for a future sale could proceed afterwards.

The youngster, currently on senior international duty, would cost the Hoops around £8.4m. While they have not spent such a hefty transfer fee very often, the £26m exit of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion, followed by Kyogo Furuhashi’s £10m winter switch to Rennes, allowed them to do so last season when they snapped up Arne Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty and Jota. But they would require further reinforcements, particularly in midfield, following several dismal performances, including a Parkhead defeat against Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Why Celtic Must Snap Up The Youngster

Brendan Rodgers has Engels and Reo Hatate as the ‘number 8s’ who have often been challenged and covered by Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo in the middle of the park. However, they do not have a replacement for Callum McGregor deep down the midfield, as the injury absence of Celtic’s ‘Captain Fantastic’ saw them lose shape in their 3-2 setback. Engels failed to drive the show as a deep-lying playmaker against the likes of Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee United FC at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Although viewed as a versatile midfield option, Paulo Bernardo has not shown enough composure as a ‘number 6’. The Celts would prefer someone with more physical presence, along with technical traits, and Tiknaz, being 6 ft 4 in, has exhibited his all-round ability throughout the previous campaign. With 4 goals and 2 assists as a defensive midfielder in 28 league outings, the Turkish prodigy proved his expertise in the centre of the pitch. The guidance of Rodgers could see him flourish as McGregor’s long-term successor if a transfer takes place in due time.

Having said that, Celtic must overcome the playoff test to make it to the main draw of the Champions League. This might fascinate the young ace to ply his trade in Scotland over France, with Lille missing out on the qualification to Nice for a lower goal difference.