Danny Ings looks set to join Leicester City, and Celtic can finally move on from a transfer link that never really convinced the support.
Ings’ name has followed Celtic for long enough, but it was never a rumour that stirred much excitement among the support
Most supporters could see the problem straight away, because the player, the age profile and the timing never really matched Celtic’s recruitment model
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Danny Ings to Leicester ends Celtic debate fans never bought
Ings is now set to sign for Leicester City, with the free agent expected to agree a one-year deal with the League One club.
That should end the Celtic rumours once and for all, and there will not be many at Parkhead treating it like a missed chance.
Ings has had a strong career. Players don’t play in the Premier League if they are not any good.
The question is whether Celtic should ever have been looking at a 33-year-old striker who has not been playing regular football in England’s top tier.
That was always a hard sell to a support already watching the club move too slowly in the market.
Celtic fans have heard the experience argument before, especially when a familiar name is used to make a questionable deal sound better than it actually is.
The problem with Ings was simple enough: the rumour always felt stronger than the case for actually signing him.
Celtic need a striker signing with legs and purpose
Celtic need another forward, but they need one who changes the speed and threat of the team.
Martin O’Neill needs pace, hunger, durability and a striker who can handle the weekly pressure of playing in Glasgow.
Ings may suit Leicester, and a one-year deal may be the right move for him at this stage of his career.
But Celtic should not be chasing old Premier League names when the squad needs quicker, sharper work in the market.
Leicester may have taken Ings, but Celtic have probably avoided a signing their own fans never really wanted.
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