Celtic are well aware they need to secure a new striker this transfer window, as Brendan Rodgers has been demanding reinforcements throughout January. With just a week left before the market closes, the pressure is on to act quickly.
Kyogo Furuhashi is already in Rennes ahead of his £10 million transfer after the Ligue 1 club moved for him following his final appearance for Celtic in the Champions League clash against Young Boys.
While Jota is returning to Celtic in the opposite direction, replacing Kyogo with a proven goal scorer remains a top priority.
Targets like Mathias Kvistgaarden and Aston Villa’s Louie Barry have been discussed, though Villa manager Unai Emery has reportedly dashed Celtic’s hopes of landing Barry due to his own plans for the young forward.
Kris Boyd raises concerns over Rangers following Celtic’s lead
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has voiced concerns that his old club could repeat what Celtic are doing with Kyogo by selling Cyriel Dessers without securing an immediate replacement. Writing in his Scottish Sun column, Boyd expressed his apprehension:
“Celtic have made a bold call flogging Kyogo Furuhashi midway through the season. Rangers should think carefully before they do the same with Cyriel Dessers.”
Boyd drew parallels between the two players, citing their stats to emphasize the risk of selling a key striker without having reinforcements in place:
Boyd questions Celtic’s gamble on Kyogo sale
Boyd acknowledged the risk Celtic are taking by selling Kyogo, even as Rodgers remains confident of bringing in a top replacement:
“Celtic have taken a gamble by selling Kyogo, even if Brendan Rodgers is adamant a top replacement will come in,” he added.
“Time will tell whether the Parkhead boss makes the right decision on that signing after some questionable summer outlays.
“Rangers need to be careful, though. With Danilo injured again, Clement only has Hamza Igamane and Dessers as first-team strikers.
“The Moroccan has massive potential and has emerged as an important player for Clement in recent months.
“But he is young and still has so much to learn. For me, he also needs to offer more when he’s inside the box.
“That’s me speaking as a former No 9 who knows what it’s like to play in an Old Firm(sic) team that creates a lot of chances.
“There’s no doubt this leaves Rangers with a conundrum as getting a few quid in for him would probably appeal.
“But the notion of selling Dessers without bringing in a replacement would be madness.”
Boyd also highlighted Rangers’ precarious striker situation, with Danilo injured and Dessers and Hamza Igamane the only fit options.
While he sees potential in Igamane, Boyd believes the young forward still has a lot to learn and warns that selling Dessers without a backup plan would be “madness.”
Rodgers must get Celtic’s striker signing right
Boyd concluded by emphasizing the importance of Celtic making the right call on Kyogo’s replacement, especially given the club’s significant spending this season:
Brendan Rodgers told Celtic’s next striker move must be spot on
“There are some experts out there who scoffed at the idea that the Japanese striker would move on in this window. But as I said in this column last week, “Something is afoot and it points to a deal being done soon”.
“And guess what? A week on, he’s packed his bags for France as Rodgers revealed Kyogo told him he wanted to quit months ago.
“He will be remembered as a big-game player and someone who, more often than not, turned up in Old Firm derbies. But it’s what happens next that Celtic fans should really focus on.
“Bringing Jota back for £9 million is a clever move by Rodgers because he knows exactly what he’s getting. Yet I wonder if he will be given the same kind of cash to get a direct replacement for Kyogo, maybe for Brondby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden.”
Boyd questioned the value of some of Celtic’s summer signings, such as the £26 million spent on Adam Idah, Arne Engels, and Auston Trusty, while praising the deals for Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, and Kasper Schmeichel.
“Let’s face it, was the £26m he spent on Adam Idah, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty this summer really value for money? I’d argue that the £5m for Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo was better business. Top of the list was Kasper Schmeichel for nothing.
“Rodgers is under pressure to get it right on Kyogo’s replacement, otherwise the bold move in selling him will just look foolish.”
