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

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The Celtic Star

·2 de junio de 2025

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

With the tiresome and seemingly eternal links to Danish forward Mathias Kvistgaarden already having started again it is likely Celtic have long since missed the boat on that signing. Indeed, it has seemed since last summer that the player himself may view Celtic as a sideways career step from Brondby when a top five league is his preferred destination.

Brondby IF v Viborg FF, 3F Superliga football, 14th February 2025. Mathias Kvistgaarden (36) of Brondby IF seen during the 3F Superliga match between Brondby IF and Viborg FF at Brondby Stadion. Photo:Gonzales Photo Dennis Jacobsen

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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.

March 15, 2025, Girona, Girona, SPAIN: Cesar Tarrega of Valencia CF and Bojan Miovski of Girona FC in action during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between Girona FC and Valencia CF at Estadio de Montilivi on March 15, 2025 in Girona, Spain. Girona SPAIN – Photo Javier Borrego

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.

Daizen Maeda. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

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.

Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

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.

Johnny Kenny scores in the Scottish Cup final penalty shoot out defeat to Aberdeen. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

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.

Moldes Halldor Stenevik og Sarpsborg 08s Celunder eliteseriekampen i fotball mellom Sarpsborg 08 og Molde pa Sarpsborg Stadion. Foto: Christoffer Andersen / NTB Sarpsborg Norge

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.

May 24, 2025, Cornella, Barcelona, SPAIN: Javi Puado of RCD Espanyol celebrates the victory with supporters during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between RCD Espanyol and UD Las Palmas at RCDE Stadium on May 24, 2025 in Cornella, Barcelona, Spain. Cornella SPAIN – Photo Javier Borrego

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.

Nicolas Kuhn. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

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.

Hammarby’s Montader Madjed during the Allsvenskan football match between Hammarby and Degerfors on May 26, 2025 in Stockholm Photo: KENTA JÖNSSON

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.

Niall J

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