Hammarby sporting director addresses Celtic scouting trip in Sweden

By David Walton

May 4, 2022

Hammarby sporting director Jesper Jansson has stated that Celtic “definitely” have an interest in left-back Mohanad Jeahze.

Expressen reports that the Hoops sent representatives to watch the Iraq international in action for the Swedish club on Monday night. He featured in the 0-0 draw against Malmo, and was hooked on 68 minutes.

The Swedish newspaper stated last week that Celtic could be able to sign the player for as little as £1.6m. With his contract expiring in December 2023, it’s fair to say that’s not a major surprise.

And despite Jansson trying to keep his cards close to his chest, he did let slip that there’s a definite interest in the player when asked about the Celtic speculation:

Speaking to Expressen’s Anel Avdic, Jansson said: “Nothing new. I know nothing more than what is written in the media. There is certainly an interest but I have not heard anything.”

Celtic are looking to strengthen their squad in the summer ahead of their likely UCL campaign should they wrap up the Premiership title within the next 3 games.

Jesper Jansson admits to Celtic interest

So now not only do we have a Swedish newspaper reporting a Celtic scouting trip, but also Hammarby’s sporting director admitting that there’s interest in his player. It’s becoming quite clear that the Hoops are certainly eyeing this one up.

It’s been reported by the Athletic that left-back is one of the positions Celtic are looking to strengthen this summer. Therefore, it’ll be interesting to see what other options the club is looking at as well as Jeahze.

Left-back is certainly a weak position at the club when it comes to the quality required. If we simply kept our options as is, you feel it would be far too easily exploited at UCL level. Let’s not forget how easily Ola Solbakken showed up Greg Taylor and Liam Scales in the Europa Conference League clash with Bodo/Glimt.

Celtic’s goal in the UCL next season simply has to be to compete. We don’t want to go into the competition simply being cannon-fodder for Europe’s biggest and baddest. We want to be landing some punches of our own. To do that, some strengthening will indeed be required.

But it’s not just the left-back position in which the Hoops need to focus on. We’re still light when it comes to aggression in the midfield whilst we still need consistent competition for Liel Abada down the right. Another centre-forward, meanwhile, wouldn’t go amiss either.

For now, however, the main focus is getting over the finishing line and winning the title.

In other news, Hearts player explains why he “didn’t particularly enjoy” his final year at Celtic