Camilo Duran will be judged on goals at Celtic, but Ricardo Pessoa has already told supporters to watch for something else when the Colombian gets on the ball.
The £6million signing has already won over one man who knows exactly what Celtic are getting.
Pessoa worked with Duran at Lusitana and believes Celtic have bought a forward who is far more than an out-and-out striker.
🎉 Celtic have their first summer signing!
What do we make of Camilo Duran?
Ricardo Pessoa tells Celtic fans what to expect
Pessoa told The Celtic Way that he always believed Duran had the potential to play in the Champions League. He also revealed why he used the Colombian on the right wing rather than through the middle.
Pessoa said, “For me, it’s no surprise that he is going to a club like Celtic. When I worked with him in Portugal, I always thought he had this high potential to play in the Champions League.
“When I had Camilo, I always played him as a right winger. He has a great left foot and [the ability] to go for goal with it.
“He has great movement as well in and around the box, so he can play as a striker too. He is also very quick, but sometimes he lacks in the defensive work. The relationship we have is like a father and a son. I spoke to him two days ago.
“I said you should move to Celtic because this is one of the most important clubs in Europe. I also said you should go because this team plays with three front players, and this helps your game.
“For me, it’s no surprise that when he went to Qarabag, he played as a striker and scored in the Champions League. For sure, he has the potential to play for the Colombian national team one day.”
Celtic have signed movement as well as Duran’s goals
One point kept coming back throughout Pessoa’s assessment. Duran can drift wide, attacks space and comes inside onto his left foot instead of waiting for chances to arrive.
Pessoa did not simply congratulate Duran after the move. He told him to take it because Celtic’s front three suits the way he plays.
Qarabag pushed Duran through the middle and the goals followed. That does not change what Pessoa first saw in Portugal, because the movement that made him such a dangerous winger is still part of the way he plays today.
Whether Colombia comes calling is for another day. If Pessoa has got one thing right, Celtic supporters will notice Duran’s movement long before they start counting his goals.
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