Celtic Is Going After A Multi-Role Footballer Who Ticks All The Ange-Ball Boxes.

The stories about Sead Haksabanovic continue to gather pace. It looks as if there is more to them than silly internet speculation.

Ange was asked about them this afternoon, and he did not deny the stories and said that he would only talk when something is being announced.

This one looks good, and it looks solid.

I wrote a piece yesterday on how some sections of the fan-base are worried about what this deal means, and who it impacts. I don’t think such worries are necessary; indeed, when you look at the profile of the player you can see they are not.

Since this season began, a couple of things have been obvious. First, that we are stacked with great options in the final third. Yesterday, I talked about how if we lose Johnson and Ajeti in this window, which most people expect, that we could effectively replace them both by signing this guy and allowing Maeda to be our back-up striker.

But it’s more than that, of course. What Ange wants is a 25-man squad on whom he can rely in any and all circumstances of battle. If he has to replace two or three players for a crucial game, he wants to know that his replacements are on hand and ready.

One of the mantras Ange preaches when it comes to the top half of the pitch is versatility, and that’s where this guy is going to be a significant signing. He can play anywhere across the front, and in addition he can slot into the number 10 role, the one vacated by Rogic, the one some think we badly needed to sign somebody in.

Well, with this signing we achieve a multitude of different things. He’s a multi-role footballer, the kind the boss wants, like Jota and Abada and Maeda himself. These guys can all play across the front and behind a central striker … it gives the manager that many more ways to approach games, and more importantly perhaps, to turn them if need be.

There is no way that this isn’t good business by the club, and if the projected fee – I’ve read somewhere that it could be as low as £1.7 million – is at the level some reports suggest then it might be the steal of the century.

I am looking forward to seeing this one get done, and although he’s going to be a ways short of match fitness, this kid will be a huge asset to our side. It’s another excellent piece of business from the club, as they continue to back this manager all the way.