Second time lucky – Jack Rudoni was in Celtic’s radar as O’Riley replacement

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The Celtic Star

·8 giugno 2025

Second time lucky – Jack Rudoni was in Celtic’s radar as O’Riley replacement

This lad was on our radar last summer before moving from Huddersfield to Coventry. I expected him to go to EPL, but seems Sheffield United are making their move. Might be a deal Celtic re-visit…

Jack Rudoni of Coventry reacts during the Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City at The Hawthorns on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Coventry City are expecting midfielder Jack Rudoni to move on from the Championship club after their attempts to navigate the Play-offs saw their EPL promotion hopes dashed by Sunderland at the semi-final stage.

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Rudoni found the net in the first-leg meeting between the two sides, but it wasn’t enough to see Coventry City progress to a Wembley final.

That may well mean Celtic will revisit a player the Hoops scouted extensively -and did consider making a move for – prior to Rudoni’s transfer from Huddersfield Town to Coventry City in the summer of last year.

Paulo Bernardo . St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

At that time Celtic were on the look-out for midfielders and ended up, after a hesitant summer transfer window, signing Arne Engels alongside Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan.

Luke McCowan celebrates scoring the second goal during the Celtic v Ross County Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday November 30, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

It’s probably fair to say of the three Engel’s was the better buy, but with the Belgian international reported as attracting interest from last season’s Champions league opponents Atalanta, and with McCowan and Bernardo currently very much squad players, it could well be a player the Celtic recruitment staff will have their ears pricked as to the availability of Rudoni, one year on from their previous interest and particularly after an impactful season with Coventry City.

Jack Rudoni of Coventry City scores his second goal during the Championship match between Coventry City FC and Middlesbrough FC at The Coventry Building Society Arena on May 03, 2025. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Now Sheffield United – who look likely to lose Gustavo Hamer following their own Championship play-off defeat at the hands of the Black Cats – have emerged as favourites to sign the player amidst interest from other Championship clubs.

That’s according to EFL Index who quote ‘transfer expert Graeme Bailey’ as saying although there is rumoured EPL interest in Rudoni, it’s expected he will remain in the English Championship next season.

“With Rudoni, obviously Coventry are assessing it. They will sell, though. We’ve seen the links to the Premier League; Leeds and Newcastle. I think Rudoni will go, but it’s just a matter of where he’ll end up. I think the player himself is going to be assessing it, but I think he will go this summer.

Jack Rudoni of Coventry reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Coventry City and Ipswich Town at The Coventry Building Society Arena on February 08, 2025. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

“There’s Premier League interest in there. But, I think the interest is stronger in the Championship as of now. He’s waiting to see what happens. I don’t think it’s 100% where he goes just yet, as in which league he goes to. But an exit is likely.”

Rudoni was linked with Celtic last season as a replacement for Matt O’Riley, following the midfielder’s move to Brighton last summer, with Football Scotland claiming the exclusive at the time.

‘Football Scotland can also exclusively reveal that Celtic had former Huddersfield midfielder Jack Rudoni on their shortlist of possible options before he joined Coventry late last week.

The talented playmaker was seen as an ideal Matt O’Riley replacement should the Danish international be allowed to depart. Of course, they’ll now have to move onto their next option given the 23-year-old is no longer available.’

https://youtu.be/jxN3OvlZ89

With some mooted interest from the EPL but with a Championship club looking the more likely destination at this stage, then Celtic with the allure of Champions League football, may well be an appealing alternative to another season of the English Championship marathon slog. Although that may require Celtic to move fast, possibly at odds with previous transfer windows under CEO Michael Nicholson.

If Celtic do act, they will be getting a player on the up, and one who really kicked on after Coventry’s appointment of Frank Lampard as manager in November last year.

Rudoni scored 10 goals and assisted 13 in City’s play-off push and has proven over 50 appearances last season that Celtic’s three game a week schedule would not be a problem to him.

Jack Rudoni of Coventry City celebrates scoring a goal during the Championship match between Coventry City and Preston North End at The Coventry Building Society Arena on February 22, 2025. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

According to Total Football Analysis Jack Rudoni Scout Report At Coventry City 2024/2025 Rudoni is described as a tactical chameleon:

‘Rudoni has featured as part of a flat midfield three in a 5-3-2 where his role demanded not only defensive discipline in tracking runners and covering lateral spaces but also the ability to transition quickly into attack.

In a 4-2-3-1 he has been the No. 10, operating in between the lines of the opposition’s defensive and midfield blocks. Here, Rudoni’s ability to exploit blind-side runs, disguise passes, and thread through balls into attacking channels has increased his creative output.

Additionally, he has taken on the role of a left-sided forward in a 3-4-3 formation balancing attacking runs into the half-space.

These tactical tweaks and changes reflect Lampard’s adherence to positional rotations and vertical compactness. By placing Rudoni in different zones, Lampard has harnessed the midfielder’s creativity while also challenging him to interpret space and make off-ball movements that disrupt defensive structures.

Rudoni’s ability to adjust to these variations shows his technical quality and growing tactical intelligence.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates at full time during the SPL | Premier League match between Dundee United FC and Celtic FC at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It is unlikely Rudoni would have been expected to move on from Coventry City, just one year on from his transfer from Huddersfield. However, given he may well be back on the market, it may be a good moment for Celtic to make their move whilst Sheffield United appear the main opposition to a transfer rather than EPL suitors, and especially if Arne Engels does move on, with Atalanta’s interest not going away.

Niall J