Celtic have apparently targeted a Champions League rival from this year’s competition to replace the now departed Kyogo Furuhashi…
The Japanese international striker who was revelation for Celtic since the summer of 2021 decided to seek a new footballing adventure in the French league with Rennes and was moved on earlier in the week for a fee of around £9m.

Jota returned to Celtic this week and is in the squad for Fir Park
Jota has returned to the club in the same week but as good as he is, he is not a striker. That has left Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment staff searching for that elusive goalscoring machine who can come in and pick up where Kyogo left off. It’s not easy and the hierarchy are said to be in discussions with Mathias Kvistgaarden’s club Brondby, over potentially taking the physical attacker to Paradise this month, although the Danish side are in danger of pricing themselves out of a deal.
Mathias Kvistgaarden deal stalling over price
The two clubs appear to be apart in terms of valuation or how the fee is to be paid, if you listen to the whispers in certain quarters. Regardless of that situation, the Hoops will need to get a move on and get that centre-forward in. A new name has now emerged in that frame besides Kvistgaarden and it’s one of the Bhoys’ European foes.

Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec mentioned as an alternative
For the Daily Record last night reported that Brendan Rodgers likes the look of Slovan Bratislava hitman, David Strelec. Celtic of course played their opening game of this year’s UEFA Champions League group phase campaign against Bratislava at Parkhead, were the Scottish Champions ran out 5-1 winners on the night in what was a special occasion for the supporters back in the Champions League big time.

They state that 23-year-old Strelec, who has bagged 7 goals in 23 games for Slovakia this year, as well as netting five in the Champions League group stages and qualifiers, could be an option for Rodgers and the recruitment team. It’s claimed that Slovan would be holding out for at least £8 million for the man who scored against Atletico Madrid and Dinamo Zagreb this campaign and is seen as a cheaper alternative to the Danish striker Kvistgaarden.
Looking at other options is of course prudence and it also concentrates the minds at the selling club in Denmark.
Paul Gillespie
