This has the potential to be a huge summer for Celtic. A new manager is due to arrive while a mass upheaval of the playing squad could occur at Parkhead.
Odsonne Edouard is consistently linked with a move away to the Premier League while Bhoys defender Kristoffer Ajer is another highly sought after player.
He was the subject of interest from Milan earlier this season but it’s thought that Newcastle and newly promoted Norwich are now hot on his heels.
The Magpies even scouted the Norwegian during Celtic’s heavy defeat to Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Considering they lost 4-1, it’s unlikely they will have been left too impressed.
After all, he ducked out of the way when Alfredo Morelos fired a rasping effort towards goal that rocketed past Scott Bain.
However, if Ajer does indeed depart this summer, Dominic McKay could do worse than looking towards Hadjuk Split defender Mario Vuskovic.
The Croatian defender has been linked with a move to Celtic in the last few weeks in a deal that may set them back around €6m (£5.2m).
At just 19 years of age, the defender would be a player for the future but judging by the way Stephen Welsh and Ajer have both adapted to the squad at such a young age, he’d surely feet seamlessly into the side.
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Standing at a colossal height of 6 foot 2, he is a force to be reckoned with in the air but he also brings the grace and poise in possession of the ball that Ajer does.
Back in 2018, Vuskovic had the honour of being named in The Guardian’s next-generation list of the 60 best youngsters in world football.
Journalist Aleksandar Holiga said at the time: “He’s not just dominant in challenges but also exceptional in build-up play. He often scores goals and can score from free-kicks like a No 10.”
Like Ajer, the young centre-back is strong in the challenge but gets forward well to provide a dose of creativity. He roams forward freely which is one of the most striking traits of Celtic’s imperious Norwegian.
You only need to look at the way he burst forward during the Old Firm derby at one stage in the second half on Sunday. Ajer found himself on the edge of the Rangers box before he danced through two or three players to get a shot off.
If we take a look at the stats, it tells you how impressive Vuskovic is, particularly in the air. The teenager wins 63% of his aerial duels per 90 minutes, nearly ten more than Welsh. He also fractionally wins more defensive duels per 90 than both Shane Duffy and Nir Bitton.
Therefore, Vuskovic would clearly be an upgrade for the Bhoys this summer. At the touted price tag, he’d also represent a bargain.
AND in other news, Forget McGregor: Celtic gem who lost possession 21x was a major let down vs Rangers…
