Aaron Mooy can thrive in Glasgow’s goldfish bowl just like the way the Hoops’ Japanese contingent have under Ange Postecoglou. That is the view of former Celtic midfielder Paul Lambert after the announcement of both Australian Mooy and German Moritz Jenz were confirmed today.
Lambert himself is no stranger to the cut and thrust of life in Glasgow’s goldfish bowl and he featured for Celtic on numerous occasions throughout his tenure at Parkhead from 1998-2004. The quiet enforcer became an integral part of the side that stopped the Ten, then went on to help guide the Bhoys to their first European Final in 33 years.
Being a seasoned campaigner to life in the Scottish League, Lambert has insisted Mooy can use his previous relationship with Ange Postecoglou at international level to help him thrive at Celtic this year. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I think the squad definitely needed to get stronger because of the Champions League. That’s where they’ll want to make their mark this year. The Champions League is huge for the club. It’s Celtic’s opportunity to have a right good run at it Mooy was very good a few years ago I thought, when he was at Huddersfield, so they’ve got a good one there if he can perform the way he did.
🆕✍️ #MooySigns!
We are delighted to announce the signing of Australian international midfielder Aaron Mooy 🇦🇺
Welcome to #CelticFC, Aaron! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/z2bLleLhZ9
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 19, 2022
“Ange has done great with the Japanese players that have come in. He knew those lads as well and he certainly got a tune out of them; they’ve done great. I think Mooy will be the exact same. He’ll know the manager. One thing he’ll have to get used to is the Glasgow goldfish bowl as they call it, which is certainly the case. If he can get used to that and knuckle down with it, he’ll be fine.”
The ex-Scotland international says he can also see the Scottish Premiership going right to the wire this season and praised the Ibrox side for some of their own recruitment lately. He added: “I think the two clubs will be strong this year,” he said. “ theRangers have bought decently as well. Tom Lawrence is going there after doing well. I had him at Blackburn; he was a good young player then and he’s gotten better and better.
“The league will go right to the wire. It’ll be close. Whoever wins the Old Firm games, that will be crucial to them. It’s two teams who will go for each other. Celtic have the Champions League which is going to be great for the club, but it will go the distance.”
🗣️”They’ve got a good one there!”
Paul Lambert has hailed the signing of Aaron Mooy and believes Celtic will be hoping to make a mark in the Champions Leauge but will be taken the distance in the title race 👇 pic.twitter.com/WOODA9hTxA
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) July 19, 2022
🗣️ "It's an amazing feeling. I'm just so happy to be here and it's a massive club with huge history and I want to be part of it, so I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Watch Aaron Mooy’s exclusive first interview as a #CelticFC player! #MooySigns!🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6vhKm4dFUU
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 19, 2022
Paul Gillespie
