Amidst a string of woeful transfer windows, Celtic’s glaring issues in the striker department has easily been the club’s most painful issue during this dismal campaign.
By the time Martin O’Neill returned for his second stint in the Celtic Park dugout this season, the January window was wide open, with rumours heavily swirling around a potential move for Tawanda Maswanhise.
Despite being heavily linked with a transfer to the champions of Scotland, the Motherwell forward, who is currently up for Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year, ultimately stayed at Fir Park.
Yet, according to Andy Walker, it was a deal O’Neill would have loved to have concluded, and thinks it’s one Celtic should still revisit when the transfer window re-opens.
“I think Martin O’Neill would have liked to have taken him in January,” said Walker. “He has been terrific all season.
“I think Celtic need a goalscorer. I think they are in the market. You can do a deal at £4 million.”
I would pay ____ for Tawanda Maswanhise…
Celtic backed to pay ‘£4 million’ for Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise
Every Celtic fan would agree that Kelechi Iheanacho is the best forward at the club, but he can’t stay fit, and that’s a major red flag when it’s April.
The rest from Tomas Cvancara to the loaned-out Johnny Kenny just haven’t been able to stake their claim, so Celtic will be knocking on more doors for a goalscorer this summer.
With Maswanhise, at least the Hoops know what he is all about because they have seen him up close and personal.
That’s why Walker is backing the idea of his former side putting £4 million on the table for his services, as he discussed the high-flying Motherwell star with Craig Moore on Go Radio.
Walker: “Maswanhise, maybe one of those players in line for a nomination for Player of the Year. He is certainly somebody who has attracted a lot of attention.
“I think Martin O’Neill would have liked to have taken him in January. He has been terrific all season.”
Moore: “You are a Celtic supporter, Andy. £4 million, I think that was the figure that was going about around that time for Maswanhise. Would you spend £4 million on him?”
Walker: “Well, whatever way the deal is structured. I think Celtic need a goalscorer. I think they are in the market. You can do a deal at £4 million.
“But I have no idea who makes the calls on signings. I don’t think it was a successful window last summer. I don’t think it was a successful window in January. I don’t think either manager at the time got what they wanted.
“Yet, they are still in this race. In with a chance of winning a title. But to answer your question, I think he is worth a lot of money, Maswanhise. Goalscorers nowadays, absolutely.”
Moore: “He’s not an out-and-out striker, though.”
Walker: “He scores goals, and he scores goals regularly. I think you can work with him and keep that going. He will get more opportunities at Celtic than he would at Motherwell.”
Moore: “That’s a certainty. He would get lots of chances at Celtic.”
Maswanhise’s numbers for Motherwell this season
Many pundits and supporters regard Motherwell as the best footballing side in the Premiership this season.
It’s a big reason why Jens Berthel Askou has been linked to Celtic, but a key player for the Well’s coach has been Maswanhise.
The 23-year-old hasn’t always played as a centre-forward, often popping up on the right, but this is a season to remember for the Zimbabwe star.
- Games: 40
- Starts: 39
- Goals: 22
- Assists: 2
- Total minutes: 3,231
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