Reports today that we are interested in signing the Danish Under 21 striker Mathias Kvistgaarden are as out of the blue as they are welcome. I will be honest; I don’t know much about the guy and it’s clear that he won’t be coming in to challenge Kyogo, Oh and Maeda for their slots. He will be a backup. He will be a development talent.
But those are three good forwards and they were always likely to be our front-men for this campaign. Where this story is interesting is that we do need a really good player who can step in and do a good job for us when the need arises. The need will arise. This is going to be a long, long campaign and we’ve already lost one striker to injury for a few weeks.
And of course, the five subs rule means that the boy will get on the pitch a lot. We’ll need that too, because this would be a possible solution to the issue this blog has raised more than once; the thorny issue of the Asian Cup.
I have been saying for a while now that we need a European striker who can step in for those games which will take place during that competition, because it is very likely that all of our Asian stars will be away for those games.
The problems that will cause us are enormous, and whilst we can request postponements the SPFL has already made it clear that it will not allow us to put more than one game aside, which I think is pretty shocking but should serve as a warning to us.
This is not something we can afford to ignore here.
That tournament will remove our Koreans, our Japanese and our Australian winger.
All stand a good chance of being in their national squads and if they are the damage that could do to our season might be immense, because we have hard league games, a Scottish Cup tie and even the possibility of European football in that timeframe.
We cannot go into that without knowing what the plan will be.
This would be a good move. This kid would have plenty of time, and enough opportunities, to establish himself as the answer to this problem. We will not go out and sign a first choice; that’s Kyogo and Maeda and Oh are definitely fine players … so someone coming here knowing it’s a supporting role at first, that’s crucial.
It might be the smartest, and best, move we make in this window.
Not sexy, perhaps, not a name that stands out … but he may emerge as absolutely vital.
The inference in one of your articles from yesterday was that Celtic have regressed since Ange left. Or, at least, there is a perception from Celtic fans that we have regressed. I am not sure how. There are, however, two major issues for Brendan to solve. The goalie and what to do about Hatate. I know Brendan excels at improving existing players but Turnbull is not a replacement for Hatate. We either get Hatate in and doing what he does well or sell him and get a proper replacement in. We have less than 2 weeks to resolve these two major problems. A decent back up striker is welcome but it’s not what we need to focus on.
Had a look at him on Youtube. (I know, I know). He looks really good. Scores with both feet and the head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrdMG79QAqk
Whilst Kyogo has proved to be a sensation and Hetate not too shabby either – But – Do managers not do forward planning for an event like The Asian cup that falls at a critical time of our season…
This one is on Ange though – our amazing manager, not quite Brendan esque but pretty near –
I say not quite Brendan esque as he won every trophy he competed for in Scotland at Celtic and Ange only just fell short and I measure my football success in silverware rather than the quality of the footy on the pitch…
Although it is really good if both can come to fruition together, but if not then it’s silverware and success and sickened Sevco Huns every day of the year for me !
Why not go for Shankland, Scottish, relatively cheap and worth 20 goals a season
What’s with the headline here? “Targeting” surely. Not like you James.
Agreed having someone who could do the same role as meada with able to play through the centre and upon the left would be a great help to the squad imo.
Moreso with seeing nothing from hako to suggest that he really remains within the plans of Rodgers long term?
Never really believed left wing was the best position for hako, yet hasn’t looked energetic enough for a midfield slot either with the way we want to play, yet turnbull can get a role?
Think speed is going to remain our feature in our attacking play, which will be required for counter attacking play within CL, so this could well be a possibility and sending a message to wolves and Newcastle that we won’t be messed about or held to ransom over players we need and want to get in quickly at this stage
Who?
Under 21?