If Riley McGree decides the attraction of a Championship slog, rather than the possibility of the Champions’ League is more to his taste, you can be certain Ange Postecoglou has other options to consider. And one of those could be a player the Celtic manager, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, is a ‘big admirer’ of – Hannes Wolf of Borussia Monchengladbach.
O’Rourke has been quoted as saying: “Wolf has been a long-term target for Celtic. “Ange Postecoglou,” he continues “is a big admirer of him and it seems he doesn’t really figure in Monchengladbach’s plans going forward.”
We covered the pros and cons of a Hannes Wolf in a previous article on The Celtic Star and there is no doubt Wolf is exactly the kind of player who could fit into the Ange Postecoglou style of play, and has all the attributes to produce the goods. He is also a player who is out of favour under Ali Hutter at Borussia Monchengladbach and is available permanently or on loan this month.
Well respected German media outlet Kicker has also linked the 22-year-old with a move to Celtic, but there has also been interest shown in the former Red Bull Salzburg player by both Austrian side Rapid Vienna and Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, so once again Celtic would also face competition for this one.
One thing is clear however, with only two starts at Borussia Monchengladbach and both of those at the start of the Bundesliga campaign, both the manager and the player will be aware that a move during this window really does suit both parties.
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Celtic will still remain hopeful a move for Riley McGree comes off, however Ange Postecoglou has always been steadfast in his view that if a player doesn’t want to be at Celtic, or a target is unsure, then Celtic is not a club for those who waver. If McGree can’t decide, and soon, then Celtic will look elsewhere.
If they do Hannes Wolf should be top of the list of alternatives. Recent form may blinker some but consider performances at Red Bull Salzburg and you can see why Celtic may be willing to take a gamble.
In a league comparable to Scotland’s cinch Premiership and at a club possibly even more dominant than Celtic, Hannes Wolf was a standout performer. Indeed, an argument could be made a Bundesliga move was simply too much too young for Wolf – he had just turned 20 when he moved to the Bundesliga – As such a move to Glasgow now may see him rebuild his confidence and have the breathing space he needs to mature as a player, as the return of 23 goals and 21 assists from 89 games with Red Bull Salzburg is highly impressive.
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If Riley McGree chooses a different path, then Hannes Wolf may be an ideal alternative. It would also appear Ange Postecoglou likes what he sees.
Niall J
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