Celtic monitor free agent striker as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster forward line

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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is in the hunt for extra firepower before the window closes as he aims to bolster his forward line.

The Irishman has previously made clear that he would like three strikers in the building to help the Bhoys cope with their congested fixture schedule this term. Adam Idah became a permanent Celtic player last week in a deal worth £9.5 million, including add-ons, and made his second debut for the club yesterday against Hibernian.

Daizen Maeda started the affair yesterday and got on the scoresheet twice. Kyogo Furuhashi was left out by Rodgers due to a flare-up of his ongoing shoulder problem.

Post-match, the Celtic boss revealed that Furuhashi has been managing the condition for quite some time and has opted against having surgery to correct the issue.

Now, with Rodgers keen to add more competition for places in the striking position, reports suggest the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are keeping an eye on a potential recruit from the free agent market.

Celtic monitor free agent striker Aaron Connolly

According to Football Scotland, Celtic are monitoring free agent striker Aaron Connolly as Rodgers continues to search for a third forward option.

The Republic of Ireland international most recently plied his trade at Hull City last term and attracted serious interest from Major League Soccer sides before their transfer window closed.

Now 24 years of age, Connolly also has other suitors south of the border as he continues to weigh up his next move after leaving the MKM Stadium.

Last season, the Galway-born attacker scored eight times in 30 appearances across all competitions, with 15 of his outings coming from the start.

Brendan Rodgers and the search for three strikers at Celtic

When referencing Rocco Vata’s departure to Watford earlier this summer, Rodgers made it clear he would ideally like two strikers vying for the number one slot with another option to supplement the attack.

Connolly may be a little older than Vata in that respect. Nevertheless, with his career needing a push in the right direction, coming to Celtic and having the opportunity to fight it out for minutes may be too good to turn down for the Irishman.

Furuhashi and Idah are both in situ as the main pair in Glasgow’s east end, but there is room for another body to provide reliable cover.

With 45 Premier League appearances at Brighton & Hove Albion alongside nine international caps for Ireland, his talent and pedigree is there for all to see.

Despite this, his loan spells at Luton Town, Middlesbrough and Venezia never really got off the ground. Considering that, could Celtic be the ideal environment to offer Connolly stability and a path to regular first-team football? We’ll need to wait and see, but it is an intriguing development that has emerged.