Celtic’s striker hunt in the summer transfer window has not gone to plan.
With targets coming and going, Brendan Rodgers has ended up having to dig into his phonebook to bring free agent Kelechi Iheanacho to Celtic.
That’s despite the likes of Louis Munteanu, David Strelec, and eventually Kasper Dolberg all being linked with big-money moves to Celtic Park.
The lack of a replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi in January, coupled with the surprise sale of Adam Idah to Swansea, has left a notable gap in Celtic’s squad – one which could’ve been filled with an eventual Rangers signing, in one pundit’s eyes.
- READ MORE: Footage emerges overnight that will haunt Celtic, hours before Kelechi Iheanacho announcement
Miovski would’ve been a very good signing for Celtic says Gordon Dalziel
Bojan Miovski was linked with Celtic during his time at Aberdeen, having repeatedly impressed in encounters with the Hoops.
In the end, the Macedonian forward made the move to Spain to join Girona for around £6.5 million – Girona are owned by the City Football Group.
After a disappointing season in La Liga, Miovski has now made his return to Scottish football, controversially joining Rangers.
For Gordon Dalziel, given Celtic’s squad worries in the striker position, this was an opportunity that Celtic should have pounced on.
Dalziel said on Clyde Superscoreboard: “You can’t argue with the business that they’ve brought money in, but when you bring money in and you’re getting value for your money, you’ve got to get players in.
“You don’t need to go out and get the £11 million players. We’ve seen it and I keep going back to it – if Celtic were to look at it in the long run, Miovski for two-three million pounds would be a very good signing.
“There’s players out there that they could have shopped in the markets that they want to shop that would’ve improved their squad.”
Rangers also added to their striker options with the £8 million acquisition of Everton’s Youssef Chermiti on Transfer Deadline Day.
Free agent bargain bin the outcome for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic
If the Celtic hierarchy had things their way, Kasper Dolberg would have been the marquee signing of the end of their window.
However, once the Denmark striker’s head was turned by former club Ajax, there did not appear to be an immediate backup option for the club.
The eventual signing of Kelechi Iheanacho very much felt like a ‘last resort’ for the Hoops, given the player’s obvious connections to Brendan Rodgers.
Emmanuel Dennis could also join him, but Celtic’s transfer business spilling over beyond the transfer window is a negative sign for those in charge.
Perhaps Dalziel’s view – though it may be hard for fans to swallow – could be a much better alternative to what has played out in reality.
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