Scott Brown Tips Celtic to Sign Striker in January
Celtic are expected to make some moves in the January transfer window. There are some positions where they need to make additions. Also, there are players who could do with an exit, whether permanent or on loan.
One position Celtic are expected to strengthen in is up top. Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu have both been among the goals in recent games.
Two options might not be enough with the amount of games Celtic play every season. They were able to avoid problems in the 2022/23 campaign because the strikers did not get injured.
They cannot rely on and hope for that to happen every season. We have already seen Oh spend a spell out on the sidelines with an injury while Kyogo has suffered a couple of scares.
On top of that, there is the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. Kyogo and Oh could be selected by the Japan and South Korea national teams, respectively. If that was to happen, they could end up missing a significant number of games.
So, the smart thing for Celtic to do would be to add a striker in January. Scott Brown certainly appears to be expecting movement in the winter transfer window.
According to Football Scotland, Brown said to Lucky Block: “I think Brendan will be looking to sign another striker in January. Kyogo Furuhashi has been on fire this season, but they’re perhaps missing a spark up there with him. I’m sure Brendan will want to strengthen every position if he can, so it all depends on how much money he’s going to get to spend. I’m sure they’ll do it wisely and within their budget.
“Brendan brings a sense of ruthlessness and relentlessness to clubs – you saw when he was here beforehand, we won four Trebles in a row and a lot of that was due to the manager and the players he brought in. You’ve got to give him credit for the players he’s brought in and the amount of money that he’s made Celtic in the past – that’s what fantastic managers do.
“It’s that structure with and without the ball that is hugely important to Brendan and the club, and they’ve got that drilled very well. They look a really strong team, but they probably need to sign a couple of players in January as well. I’m sure that’s one thing Brendan will be having his eye on.”
It will be interesting to see if Celtic do end up signing a striker in January. And if they do, who it turns out to be?
They have been linked with Sydney van Hooijdonk of Bologna in recent days. He already has a connection with the club as his father played for the Hoops.
The Netherlands youth international scored 19 goals while on loan at Heerenveen in the 2022/23 season. Minutes have been limited at Bologna in the ongoing campaign.
Reports in Italy have suggested that Thiago Motta is open to the idea of Van Hooijdonk leaving on loan in January. Celtic have been linked with him a few times over the past few years. So, this might be the perfect opportunity to finally make it happen.
