Celtic’s Summer Rebuild – Creative Midfield Suggestions for Nick Hammond

Yesterday we started to look at the inevitable summer rebuild job that is going to be necessary after this dreadful season ends. Numerous players in the current squad want away and they should all be allowed to leave the club. There are players on loan who will mostly be going back to their parent clubs – there may be some conversations to be had with Southampton about a bargain buy offer for Moi Elyounoussi but even that seems unlikely.

READ THIS…Everything Celtic: Summer Rebuild – Ten Signing Suggestions for Nick Hammond

Everything Celtic started by naming ten signing suggestions and we’ll have more from them shortly. Then Paul Foley, a reader of The Celtic Star supplied another comprehensive list of potential signing targets and we started by looking at the goalkeeping position as well as the back four. Paul continues his proposals with a look players for the middle of the park and we’ll look at suggestions for wingers and strikers later this evening. More from Everything Celtic too on this theme later too.

Riechedly Bazoer of Vitesse Arnhem (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

READ THIS…Celtic’s Summer Rebuild – Goalkeeping Ideas and Solid Defender Suggestions

One criticism of Celtic’s recent recruitment policy has been an over concentration on the English market from Nick Hammond and Neil Lennon. Here is Part 2 of Paul Foley’s signing suggestions covering midfield signing targets.

DEFENSIVE CENTRAL MIDFIELD/CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS

Luca Vido of Italy U21 competes for the ball with Selahi Lindon of Albania U21 (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Lindon Selahi, Willem II on loan from Twente, 21 year old, Albanian international. He is a good tenacious CM who would compliment the likes of McGregor and Turnbull in our midfield. He is a bosman but will depend what happens with his loan at the moment.

Aliou Dieng (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Aliou Dieng, Al Ahly, 23 year old Malian powerhouse CM. He would again fit our midfield well and has potential to earn a big sell on. Probably cost £2-3m.

IFK Goteborg’s August Erlingmark (C) (Photo by BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

August Erlingmark, IFK Goteburg, 22 year old CB/CDM. He is a big unit and would probably result in Soro being pushed on but could be a useful addition at about £1m as his contract is up in December.

Rade Krunic of AC Milan is challenged by Patrick Berg of Bodo Glimt during the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match between AC Milan and Bodo Glimt at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 24, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Patrick Berg, Bodo/Glimt, 23 year old Norwegian energetic CM. Contract up in December so probably available for around £2m.

Sweden’s defender Martin Olsson replaces Sweden’s midfielder Emil Forsberg (R) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Simon Olsson, Elfsborg, 23 Year old powerful midfield runner and good on the ball. Cost about £1.5mish.

Robert Ljubicic St.Poelten and Matthaeus Taferner WAC.

Robert Ljubicic St Polten, 21 year old talented CM and Austrian U21. Brother of Dejan mentioned in your article so could get both on a bosman and would help them both settle.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS 

Daleho Irandust with a finish during the football match in the Allsvenskan between Häcken and Mjällby on October 24, 2020 in Gothenburg, Photo: MICHAEL ERICHSEN

Daleho Irandust, Hacken, 22 year old very talented two footed attacking midfielder with a decent stature being over 6ft. Scores his share of goals. £2mish.

Mijo Caktas

Mijo Caktas, Hadjuk Split, 28 year old experienced talisman of the team but available on a bosman. A very talented attacking midfielder who scores regularly.

Photo:Razvan Pasarica/SPORT PICTURES

Olimpiu Morutan, FCSB, 21 year old Romanian very talented attacking midfielder who creates goals regularly. He would probably cost a bit as FCSB seem good at getting value for their talent. Possibly £4-5m so would be a risk.

Wingers and striker suggestions to follow…

Paul Foley

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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