Aaron Mooy arrived at Celtic Park this past week and was received by a mixed reaction for the most part over whether he can still deliver at the top level of the game. The ex-Huddersfield midfielder spent the past while in the Chinese Super League and has been shy of match day experience since January this year. However, that did not stop him from helping Australia to qualify got the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Renowned for his phenomenal ball retention skills and nimble footwork, Mooy also possesses defensive skills that belie his profile and physique. In the physicality of the English Championship he was the standout in a somewhat average squad – talent-wise at least, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League. He then went on to have a great time in the supposed “best league in the world”.
His displays at Huddersfield earned him a move to Brighton and he didn’t fail to deliver there either as former coach Billy Reid revealed this week, which can be read all about right here. The move to China did fulfil its financial promise in all fairness, but it failed to deliver in his footballing aspirations undoubtedly.
At just 31, Mooy still has plenty of juice left in the tank to be a raging success at Celtic. One man who has no doubts about this is former Rangers player Gavin Rae.
Rae said: “Everybody knows how good Tom Rogic was for Celtic over a long period of time. He won plenty trophies and also scored in many big games for the club. But Aaron Mooy is his own man. He’s got different qualities and is a top player too,” as reported by Scottish Sun.
“He’s more of a playmaker. He likes to get the ball from defence and then spray it about. He’s ideal for that role because he’s got great technique. He will fit in well to the way Ange likes his team to play. He’s great in possession which Celtic obviously get a lot of in Scotland. Mooy gets stuck in as well — maybe not as much as someone like Scott Brown used to in the middle of the park — but he definitely still likes a tackle.
He said: “I saw loads of Mooy playing in the Premier Leaue down south. Even before that, I watched him in Australia for Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers. He always caught the eye in games. He’s highly rated here in Australia. People like what he’s done for the Australian national team, and I can see why Ange has taken him.”
Aaron Mooy also gets a warm welcome from Celtic Park! 👏
He'll hope to make an impact in the final 15 minutes 🍀 pic.twitter.com/gwpqGNIsgD
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) July 23, 2022
Former Scotland international Rae is Down Under currently with Pagewood Botany FC, and he even reckons that exposure to the creme de la creme of European football – the Champions League – can help Mooy rediscover that form that made him a formidable force at the higher end of the game once again. He continued: “It’s a brilliant move for him. Celtic enjoyed a great first year under Ange.
“The big bonus is the Champions League. If Aaron can do himself justice there then he’s got a chance for the World Cup. Personally, I’m a big fan of Ange. I knew all along he would do well because I had watched him with the Australian national team and his Brisbane Roar side as well.
“He’s always had huge self-belief and confidence which Celtic will need for this next challenge. Ange’s new players all seem to thrive under his style, and I don’t think Aaron will be any different.”
Paul Gillespie
READ THIS…Celtic 2-0 Norwich City – Watch the Goals plus all post match reaction from both clubs
David Potter’s new book, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style is out now, and you can order from Celtic Star Books – link below – or pick up a copy from the official Celtic Stores…
