Divock Origi could emulate Scott Sinclair revival act at Celtic, if rumours are to be believed

By Euan Davidson

March 26, 2021

Would Liverpool man Divock Origi move to Celtic?

That’s the speculation making the rounds, currently. Liverpool are said to be in for Odsonne Edouard, with Origi to be offered as a make-weight. Or: Liverpool are to re-sign Luis Suarez. It depends who you read, and when.

Taking the speculation at face value, it’s an interesting offer. Anfield Central have the exclusive on this one. The Liverpool fan website’s sources reckon cash, plus Origi, will grease the wheels for Odsonne Edouard. While it’d be sad to lose the Frenchman, it’d be great to see him at a massive club like Liverpool. If he’s going to move at all, aim high, you know?

So, if Origi was on offer, there are two key things to consider. One: would he leave the recent Premier League and Champions League winners to come to us? Additionally, would he actually benefit Celtic? Let’s tackle both questions.

A Champions League winner: Divock Origi / (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Divock Origi: little to suggest he’d want a Celtic move

Once described as a wonderkid, Divock Origi was an exciting signing by Liverpool back in 2015. It’s easy to forget how long he’s been warming the bench at Anfield.

Signed from Lille, Origi had scored 8 league goals in 33 outings for Les Dogues [Transfermarkt]. Since joining the Reds, he’s scored 35 in 157 matches. That’s not a return that suggests European giants will be in for the 25-year-old this summer.

He’s more likely to want to try his luck in another top 5 league. A return to France, for example, would suit. He’s also enjoyed a spell in the Bundesliga, playing for Wolfsburg in the 17-18 season. That spell didn’t yield many goals either, but given his international pedigree (29 Belgium caps), he’ll surely garner some attention. Attention from clubs with deeper pockets than Celtic.

It seems unlikely that the Bhoys’ board would sanction anything like £60,000 a week [Sportrac] for a striker who doesn’t score prolifically. Nor would Origi look to downsize his lifestyle in any meaningful way.

There is, however, precedent. Scott Sinclair was like Origi, an oft-forgotten squad member of a successful side. After a rough spell at Aston Villa, the English winger came to Glasgow, and was part of a historic period of dominance. There’s every chance struggling players in the Premier League will have watched that with raised eyebrows.

Origi battling for possession / (Photo by Peter Zador/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Former Lille man is not an upgrade on Edouard, plain and simple

Facts being as they are though, Origi is not an upgrade on Odsonne Edouard. Granted, we’re unlikely to strike gold in the same way we did with French Eddy, but a certain standard of striker is needed.

Origi just hasn’t hit the heights predicted in his youth. Yes, he’s still only 25, and he has a Champions League medal, so you can’t argue it’s all gone wrong for the Belgian.

There will be fans of Premier League sides who might laugh at this, but I don’t think a mediocre return in the English top-flight is a decent enough qualification. While there are financial advantages to this move in the long-term, that’s predicated on Origi having a, say, 20+ goal season.

His CV doesn’t necessarily suggest he’s capable of doing that.

The Scottish Premiership is a different beast, though. Undoubtedly, he’d find more time on the ball, and more opportunities. More, even, than at a club like Liverpool. On form, Klopp’s side create endless chances and make life difficult for their opposition.

So, it’s hard to say anything conclusive. But that wage packet, and his lack of firepower over a long spell at Liverpool suggest he might not be what Celtic need.

A loan deal, though? There are far worse options. It seems likelier than carrying the heft of a 60k-a-week wage. So there’s maybe more to this deal than meets the eye.

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