The Vinicius Souza Chase – Why Celtic must stick to their guns

The Celtic Star

·5 July 2022

The Vinicius Souza Chase – Why Celtic must stick to their guns

As reported earlier by Niall J here on The Celtic Star, Ange Postecoglou target Vinicius Souza is being heavily courted as another two sides entered the fray to sign the young Brazilian. Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis – and our seems to be twinned club this summer when it comes to transfers – Schalke, are in the mix now for the big man. Both are attractive proposition’s by anybody’s standards.

Betis, as we witnessed last year in the Europa League group stage, know how to play football the right way. Fast, slick and very easy on the eye, nobody could blame Souza if he fancied a jaunt to Spain next in his early career. The thought of playing current European Champions Real Madrid and the mighty Barcelona in La Liga would be enough in itself to convince most players of such a young age.

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Mechelen’s Vinicius Souza and Alec Van Hoorenbeeck (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Then we have German side Schalke, who have just been promoted by to the big time in Germany again. They are looking to emerge stronger from their season in Bundesliga 2, and look as if they mean business in bolstering their side to compete and stay in the top level in the Bundesliga this year. Great history, pedigree and with a stadium to match, again, this would be a very decent place for any developing footballer to serve the next term of his apprenticeship in the game.

Apparently, previously linked Fenerbache have put a deadline on getting a player in for the defensive-midfield position, prompting me to think that perhaps Celtic should be too. I understand fully a player needs time to deliberate over where to go and play their football – especially in their early twenties – however, Celtic should definitely not wait around for Souza forever; even if he is their preferred candidate for the job.

Gent’s Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe and Mechelen’s Vinicius Souza fight for the ball during a soccer match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent, Tuesday 10 May 2022. (Photo by KURT DESPLENTER/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

When Ange first arrived he swore that he would never try and sell the virtues of this club to any player in a manner that resembled begging. We watched his words ring true in January with a certain Aussie footballer named Riley McGree. It’s safe to say his footballing aspirations haven’t quite been matched by his current employers. More the fool him. Anyways, the point being that like McGree, Celtic should not hang on the talented Souza’s every word to hear that he has decided to come to Paradise.

It has also been widely reported that Souza himself has reservations about coming to the Scottish Premiership which does set off an alarm of sorts within the back of the mind. Do we really want a player who has been leaned on by the City Group to go to Celtic Park because they own a majority of his registration and ownership rights? Regardless of how talented he is, he is no different to any other who has not fancied the hallowed turf of Parkhead. As always, it is their acute loss – because elsewhere they are a mere footballer, for Celtic fans, they become diety’s who walk on water. Just ask Henrik Larsson and Lubo Moravcik, they’ll fill you in.

Mechelen’s Vinicius Souza and Charleroi’s Ryota Morioka fight for the ball. (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)

So, if Souza continues to drag his heels waiting around to see what else becomes available, move on swiftly to the next target. Of course, I would like it to be Souza more than any of the other names we have been linked with because he seems the most suitable to our needs. That physicality, style, but also tough-tackling ability is something we have a severe dearth of at Lennoxtown at the minute. He would almost certainly fill that void like hand and glove from looking at him.

But, Ange’s words should ring true to every potential signing target and should not become a case of cherry-picking and using our discretion depending on the player in question. McGree thought he’d won a watch moving to Middlesbrough and now he is preparing for life in England’s second tier again. There is nothing to suggest he will hit the Premiership any time soon. Teams wait for years to get themselves back to the top flight. As I’ve said, Real Betis and Schalke are attractive options, that cannot be questioned. What can be questioned though is are they really better options for Souza at this time?

Well, if he can’t see that, then maybe we should be looking elsewhere for our new sitting midfielder.

Paul Gillespie