Celtic could sign £7m “diamond” to replace McGregor long-term

On Sunday, Celtic defeated their fierce rivals within the League Cup Ultimate at Hampden, prevailing on penalties following an exciting 3-3 draw.

The Hoops fell behind on the cusp of half time, just for quick-fire targets from Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda to fireplace Brendan Rodgers‘ males in entrance.

Rangers did hit again, however Nicolas Kühn then seemingly received it for these donning inexperienced and white, just for the Gers to equalise right away, virtually instantly from kick off.

To penalties we went, for only the second time in Old Firm history, with the Celts changing all 5 spot-kicks, which means only one save from Kasper Schmeichel was sufficient to see Rodgers’ aspect regain the trophy.

Callum McGregor hoisted the League Cup excessive into the Glasgow night time sky, maintaining his record of having received all 14 cup finals during which he is featured, with the Celtic skipper taking his tally to 23 main honours total; solely present teammate James Forrest and Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox, each 25, are more decorated in Celtic’s illustrious historical past.

With McGregor now 31-years outdated, having retired from international duty earlier this yr, his membership aspect could also be seeking to the long run in that place too.

Celtic new midfielder

As reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Celtic are amongst quite a lot of golf equipment desirous about signing Benjamin Tahirović from Ajax.

Di Marzio additionally mentions PAOK Thessaloniki, Lazio and Fiorentina as potential suitors, noting that Tahirović’s precedence can be to return to Serie A, having beforehand appeared for Roma, though a transfer elsewhere is way from off the desk.

The 21-year-old could be very extremely rated, described by Jacek Kulig, who runs Football Talent Scout, as a midfield “diamond”.

After two seasons with I Giallorossi, Tahirović joined Ajax for £7m in June 2023, making 37 appearances throughout his debut marketing campaign with the Amsterdam-based giants though, this season, he is featured on solely three events, out of favour because the appointment of head coach Francesco Farioli.

Having been born in Sweden, Tahirović has grow to be an everyday for Bosnia & Herzegovina, debuting against Iceland during Euro qualifying, earlier than that includes in every of the Golden Lilies’ final eight internationals, taking his tally to 14 caps.

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Transfer Focus

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So, given his lack of membership minutes, might Tahirović be on the transfer in January?

The place Benjamin Tahirović would slot in at Celtic

Tahirović has virtually solely been deployed as a number six in front of the back-line for Roma and Ajax, in addition to by Bosnia, which means, ought to he transfer to Celtic, he’d have to displace the membership captain, so let’s examine how the duo examine.

As outlined within the desk, McGregor and Tahirović have very related profiles: playmakers who dictate play from deep.

For the reason that begin of final season, for membership and nation, the teenager tried extra passes and had extra touches, regardless of enjoying little over half the variety of minutes, whereas the pair are comparable by way of cross completion %, tackles and interceptions.

When the time comes, changing McGregor goes to be nigh-on inconceivable for Celtic.

The identical was mentioned when Scott Brown left in 2021, departing having made 615 appearances, profitable 23 trophies over 14 seasons, however McGregor has taken on the mantle of captain magnificently.

The Hoops have tried prior to now to signal McGregor back-ups, however have by no means discovered one of many requisite high quality.

Oliver Abildgaard (bear in mind him?) crammed in there when the captain was sidelined due to a knee injury, however departed having made a mere nine appearances, whereas Tomoki Iwata was sold to Birmingham last summer, having additionally did not nail down a beginning spot.

Tahirović is highly-rated and, ought to he transfer to the Scottish champions, he’ll should be if he is to earn a beginning spot forward of the skipper.

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