Celtic will have hoped that the international break would provide a distraction from the transfer discourse surrounding the club after Deadline Day.
Any distraction there was didn’t last long. Having been linked with a move to Brendan Rodgers’ side on numerous occasions during the summer transfer window, one striker had the world talking on Thursday night.
The likes of Louis Munteanu, Jakob Breum and, most recently, Kasper Dolberg were touted for interest from Celtic Park but no move would materialise, leaving Celtic scrambling through Rodgers’ phonebook for the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho.
After a week of no goals in an underwhelming Glasgow Derby and a disastrous defeat to Kairat Almaty, Celtic’s lack of transfer success has been even more under the microscope.
The performance of one former target on the international stage has ensured that this will continue – and the Parkhead faithful have had their say.
David Strelec’s incredible night against Germany gets Celtic fans talking
In both the summer and January windows, Celtic were linked with Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec – his father repeatedly commented on the Hoops’ reported interest.
Eventually, the move did not seem to move to advanced stages, and the striker made a move to Middlesbrough. However, it was his exploits at international level that caught the attention of Celtic fans.
In Slovakia’s stunning 2-0 win against Germany, Strelec earned man-of-the-match with a goal and assist – and his goal was something to behold, a stunning left-footed finish after his footwork left Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger busy.
One X user, @matthewd67, first thought of the club’s board, saying: “and the Celtic board let Middlesbrough beat us to his signature…”
“Not even considering his goal last night, I’d bite your hand off for him now. But we went with Iheanacho.”
@SanFranCeltic thinks that Strelec’s talents would’ve been restricted by Celtic, commenting: “Signs for us and that ball’s going straight back to Kasper.”
Celtic’s own new striker signing adds to the irony
Whether fans are satisfied or not, the man to fill the void in Celtic’s number nine position has been decided to be Kelechi Iheanacho.
The striker has discussed his relationship with Kasper Schmeichel having been influenced by the Dane at Leicester, where he also spent a number of years playing under Rodgers.
However Strelec’s new club had the Nigerian on loan last season, and he struggled with his form. Many Boro fans see the Slovakian as an upgrade, but time will tell.
The two strikers – who are similar as left-footers who like to dribble – will show on the pitch who came out on top in this bizarre transfer parallel.
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