It appears Celtic’s interest in Hammarby left back Mohanad Jeahze has moved from paper speculation to boots on the ground and eyes in the stands, with Swedish publication expressen claiming Celtic had a scout watching the Iraqi international as his club played Malmo on Monday night.

As Ange Postecoglou prepares for Stage 2 of his rebuild, some competition and ability to rotate in a key position of the manager’s system appears something of a priority. Greg Taylor has been a standout performer in recent weeks, however, when he is injured, as has occurred this season, or when he requires resting, there are too few options at left back the manager appears to trust – to the point Josip Juranovic appears a preferred option in the absence of Taylor.

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With Boli Bolingoli apparently training on his own, Adam Montgomery viewed as player for the future rather a player expected to be first team ready quite yet, and Liam Scales seemingly unable to force his way into regular contention, adequate competition at left back is going to be essential as Celtic move to compete in both Champions League football and on the domestic front. And it looks like Mohanad Jeahze, available for a reported £1.6m fee and moving into the final year of his contract, may fit the bill if Swedish reports are accurate.

The player himself has stated he would only leave his current club for something ‘better’ and you would therefore assume playing in front of 60,000 fans every second week as well as competing at the top level of European football may well tick the right boxes for Jeahze.

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This of course is the time of year where the transfer speculation builds up ahead of the window opening again, as such you know as well as I do that there will be a great deal of speculation without much substance behind it in the coming weeks and months. But in the case of Mohanad Jeahze it appears Celtic are actively scouting the player, and with Ange Postecoglou being a manager who has evidenced a preference for his transfer business to be done early, this particular link may have some weight behind it and worth keeping an eye on.

Niall J