Sydney van Hooijdonk’s season with NAC Breda may have ended in disaster, but individually, he absolutely ripped it up when given the opportunity.
van Hooijdonk, son of popular Celtic 90s star Pierre, has smashed home 16 goals in 31 appearances this season, with 12 of them coming from the bench [Transfermarkt]. His goals helped smash Breda into a promotion playoff final clash against NEC Nijmegen. Unfortunately, it would end with a 2-1 defeat on Sunday, but van Hooijdonk again got himself on the scoresheet.
The big striker, aged only 21, can now be picked up on a free contract. His deal with NAC Breda has expired and the player surely won’t fancy playing another season in the second tier of Dutch football.
Impressively, van Hooijdonk has managed more goals from the bench than any other Dutch player this season. Granted, his lack of experience in the top flight will likely concern some.
However, the big centre-forward has shown himself to be a ruthless penalty box striker at a decent standard. The Dutch second-tier still carries a calibre of player not too dissimilar to the Scottish Premiership.
Nothing wrong with Celtic taking a closer look at Sydney van Hooijdonk
The prospect of project buys shouldn’t particularly be considered this summer. Not when you take into account the amount of work we need to carry out in the first team.
However, van Hooijdonl doesn’t fit the bill of a project player. He looks far too clinical and efficient to be given that tag. If Celtic made a move for him, he would score goals in Scotland and be well worth the low-risk move. Remember, we can snap him up for absolutely nothing.
Several Championship clubs were said to be interested before the recent January transfer window. Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, and Swansea City were all linked with an interest [The Sun]. Yet he stayed to try and finish the job with NAC Breda, something he came very close to doing.
He may not be the new manager’s cup of tea. But is there any harm in taking a closer look? Especially considering he looks a physical presence and is also good in the air. Something Celtic have badly lacked this season at both ends of the pitch.
We have several strikers we likely need to bring to the club this summer. Patryk Klimala is off whilst Odsonne Edouard will inevitably follow him. There are no guarantees on Leigh Griffiths’ Celtic future either. If van Hooijdonk is available for nothing, it has to be considered.
The final decision should always be down to the new manager. But if we fail to make a move and miss out on this one? Don’t be surprised to hear about him tearing it up in a stronger division next term.
In other news, a report has frustratingly pushed back the Eddie Howe to Celtic timeline.
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