Ajeti could be Swiss Bliss for Celtic…
It’s safe to say that last year was truly a year to forget. This could not be truer for our own Swiss-Albanian striker, Albian Ajeti. The much maligned goalscorer saw his playing time cut short by injury and lack of fitness for most of the season. But his brace against Ross County at the weekend could see him become a Celtic hero yet.
Prior to his injury against Hibs early into last season, Ajeti’s goalscoring form had been substantial. Five in six was the exact return before his unfortunate injury.
Albian Ajeti scores. Photo Jeff Holmes
43 goals in 96 games for Basel in the Swiss league isn’t exactly a bad haul either; a league – might I add – that is of higher quality than the SPFL.
Now, if you are comparing Ajeti to Kyogo at this current moment in time, just stop. They are two very different players, with differing skillsets. Ajeti is never going to posses the ninja-like movement that Furuhashi is blessed with. However, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the ball-holding capabilities of the former West Ham man, but crucially, his ability to find the net.
To suggest that having only 15 touches in a game and scoring 2 goals is a negative is simply churlish. We all need players who can stick the ball in the pokey. Plain and simple. Added to that, he scored the first headed goal by a Celtic centre-forward in God knows how long…
Photo: Jeff Holmes
To write-off a £5Million signing at a time when money is tight, we need squad depth, and we have just severed ties with last seasons top goalscorer and a proven striker at this level, is utter madness.
League titles are won on the types of goals that Albian Ajeti scored for Celtic on Saturday. The first of many I hope. But the only way to find out is to give the player a chance.
Moreover, he could be the release valve on the endless pressure that Ange’s teams like to squeeze the opposition with. His two goals both came from crosses – something we’ve sadly lacked for long enough now.
He may well just be our Swiss Bliss in Seville even if Albania does have a valid claim on the Celtic striker.
Paul Gillespie
Celtic’s Albian Ajeti scores his side’s third goal. Photo Jeff Holmes
