Report: Former Premier League trainee on Celtic radar; 20 goal contributions this season

By Euan Davidson

November 16, 2021

Former Brighton youngster Danny Mandroiu is attracting interest from Celtic, according to the Sun.

The report states that Mandroiu, of Shamrock Rovers, has been on the club’s radar as long as Liam Scales. However, with need for defenders, Celtic deferred their interest in rangy 23-year-old midfielder Mandroiu to this coming January.

Knocking on the door of his first senior Ireland cap, Mandroiu has been seriously impressive this season. He was called up to Stephen Kenny’s national side, but didn’t make it off the bench against Andorra [Transfermarkt].

The report indicates that Celtic are “confident” of securing the playmaker, although a fee has not yet been agreed.

Prolific from midfield, Mandroiu has been in sensational form. He’s scored 15 goals for Shamrock Rovers in 2021, laying on 5 more [Transfermarkt]. Having signed from Bohemians at the start of the season, in January of this year, his impact has been significant.

Although starting his professional career for current Premier League outfit Brighton, he never made a league appearance for the Seagulls. Instead, he made a telling contribution for Bohemians, with 15 goal contributions for Bohs in 2019.

Former Premier League youngster Danny Mandroiu certainly fills a need for Celtic

With Celtic looking for another source of creativity and goals in midfield, a move for Danny Mandroiu makes perfect sense, on paper.

However, the slow start to life Liam Scales has made at the club may put Mandroiu off. Having just helped Shamrock Rovers retain their league title, having to prove himself after such a successful campaign might seem unpalatable.

It’s certainly interesting, though. Celtic have used the Irish market to differing effect over recent years. Young Irish talents like Jonathan Afolabi, Lee O’Connor, Barry Coffey and Luca Connell have struggled to make a breakthrough. The interest, though, is certainly there.

Mandroiu’s ability to score from midfield at a very high rate is undoubtedly compelling. His assist figures aren’t outstanding, but you’d expect him to nab more with higher-quality forwards.

Having lost Christie and Ntcham, this is an important area for Celtic to invest in. In terms of first-team squad depth, attacking midfielders are a scarcity.

Clearly, the pool of Academy talent hasn’t done enough to put the Celtic hierarchy off looking elsewhere. There are several factors at work here.

What’s clear, though, is that Danny Mandroiu is a talent. Were he offered assurances of game-time, it looks like a deal Celtic could easily do.

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