Cho Gue-sung looks to be nearing a move to FC Midtjylland months after Celtic moved on from their interest in the South Korean striker. Having played a starring role in the Qatar World Cup, Cho was hot property and Celtic’s recruitment wing were reportedly keen on bolstering Ange Postecoglou’s front line with the forward.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that an agreement has been completed and Gue-sung will sign for £2.6m, £400k less than Celtic were willing to pay in January.
Celtic opted not to pursue Gue-sung, who appeared to be using the Scottish Champions as a stalking horse for a move to Germany that subsequently collapsed. Instead, Celtic signed Oh, who proven himself to be a player full of potential. The bustling attacker has seven goals in twenty one appearances and he will be certainly looking forward to working with Brendan Rodgers.
You’d have to question whether the player and his representatives are pleased with themselves given this turn of events. The Vogue cover star is certainly a talent but it was clear there was an ego there and a resistance to a move to Celtic. His loss.
South Korea’s forward #09 Cho Gue-sung reacts to a missed chance during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and South Korea at Stadium 974 in Doha on December 5, 2022. (Photo by PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images)
Celtic are currently exploiting developing markets, such as Japan and South Korea, where it appears that there are a spoil of riches. English Premier League teams can rely upon teams like Celtic scouting and signing players from these markets and cherry picking the best and brightest.
This model means that the scouting infrastructure at the football club needs to be excellent and Brendan Rodgers’ comments since arriving back as manager suggests that the Scottish Champions have made significant inroads into modernising their scouting and recruitment operations.
