Report: Celtic unlikely to sign 15-goal under-21 international

By David Walton

November 30, 2021

Celtic are unlikely to make a move for Shamrock Rovers midfielder Danny Mandroiu, according to the Daily Record.

The report claims that Irish sources believe a move isn’t likely to come to pass in the January transfer window. This comes after he was initially linked with a move earlier this month.

The Scottish Sun had previously reported that Celtic were confident in striking a deal for the Ireland under-21 international. However, Shamrock boss Stephen Bradley claimed that there had been “zero interest” in his player as far as he was aware [The 42].

Mandroiu had a big campaign for Shamrock that put him firmly in the spotlight. He ended the League of Ireland season with 15 goals and 6 assists as he proved to be a hefty contributor in their title-win [Transfermarkt].

It remains to be seen if Celtic revisit the situation in the summer. Mandroiu has already come out in recent weeks and stated that he’ll be staying with the Irish club beyond January [Irish Sun].

Celtic already plucked Rovers for Liam Scales in the summer, but game-time has been limited since he made the step-up.

Celtic don’t necessarily need Danny Mandroiu anytime soon

Celtic aren’t in a position at the moment in which Mandroiu would be anything close to a priority this January. In fact, it always seemed a slightly bizarre transfer rumour to begin with given the situation we currently have in the midfield.

Would Mandroiu immediately come in and replace David Turnbull or Tom Rogic? His figures read well but let’s not kid ourselves, he would have some way to go to reach those heights.

It also wouldn’t be the best of signings for Turnbull’s development either. It’s easy to forget the former Motherwell man is still only 22 years of age. Mandroiu is 23, so it’s not as if he would be viewed at as one for the future.

You also again have concerns over the step-up required when you’re talking about a move from the League of Ireland to Celtic. It’s absolutely mammoth. We’ve already seen that with Scales who hasn’t had the start to his Celtic career that he would’ve liked.

Mandroiu certainly appears ready for a move up the ladder of course. He’s proven himself in Ireland and has absolutely smashed it with his goal contribution this season.

But a switch to Celtic Park? It feels like there are more important deals for the Hoops to be doing in the new year.

In other news, Report: Where Celtic plan to field Reo Hatate; Hoops star could move position