Celtic are closing in on their first striker of the January transfer window, but will another arrive?
Martin O’Neill’s recent trip to Fir Park sparked a debate because Celtic don’t play Motherwell until March, and there are suggestions he was watching Tawanda Maswanhise in action.
Yes, Celtic fans are happy with the signing of Tomas Cvancara; it’s expected to be announced pretty soon following his medical on Wednesday, but you sense another goalscorer is needed in this three-way title push in Scotland.
If the Hoops do push for Maswanhise, just how much will the 24-year-old be worth? Andy Halliday, his Motherwell teammate, is pretty clear with his answer.
Is Tawanda Maswanhise Celtic quality?
Andy Halliday compares Tawanda Maswanhise with Kieron Bowie
Another striker Celtic have been linked with is Hibernian forward Kieron Bowie, and there are suggestions he is going to cost ‘£6.5 million.’
Halliday thinks Maswanhise would be worth around that transfer ballpark, if he is sold, and, at the very least, the starting price would be ‘£4 million.’
What’s interesting is that the Motherwell midfielder had this discussion with Clyde 1 host Gordon Duncan, who supports The Steelmen.
Roger Hannah asked on Clyde 1: “You are better placed than me. What would it cost to take Tawanda Maswanhise out of Motherwell?”
Andy Halliday: “I tell you what, it starts with a four for me.”
Motherwell fan and host, Gordon Duncan: “Do you think so? I actually think it might be less.”
Hannah: “I think it might be less as well.”
Halliday: “I can only go off the fact that I am hearing the sum of £6.5 million for Kieron Bowie.”
Duncan: “Totally. Is that the right barometer?”
Halliday: “By all accounts, the reason why we are hearing that is because that’s the figure being brandished around by Hibs.
“Whether Celtic could get him for less or not. But I just do think, if you are the top goalscorer in the league, and I have said this a couple of times, about clubs in our country outside of Celtic and Rangers.
“I think gone are the days when they are selling their assets for pennies. Look at the fee Lennon Miller just went for in the summer. I know we are talking about a different type of prospect.
Maswanhise’s numbers compared to Celtic’s strikers
Let’s be honest, if Maswanhise joins Celtic, he won’t be facing much competition, as the team has been dreadful this season in front of goal.
But how does the Zimbabwe star compare with the Celtic players who have played as number nines this season?
- Maswanhise’s games: 27
- Starts: 26
- Goals: 15
- Assists: 2
- Total minutes: 2,122
- Maeda’s games: 31
- Starts: 27
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 7
- Total minutes: 2,383
- Kenny’s games: 21
- Starts: 12
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 2
- Total minutes: 1,095
- Yamada’s games: 11
- Starts: 1
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- Total minutes: 286
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