Celtic transfer fallout on Strelec, Ihenacho, Ings, Tierney and Kenny as champs smash into Deadline Day brick wall
Celtic EPL veteran Jeffrey Schlupp – but drew a deadline day blank in their search for a striker.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers managed to bag competition for Greg Taylor after a deal couldn’t be reached to bring in Kieran Tierney ahead of this summer. But Parkhead chiefs hit a brick wall in their pursuit of a frontman as a replacement for Kyogo – and are now left with just Adam Idah as the sole senior centre forward on the books.
Former Leicester City title winner Schlupp checked in on a loan deal from Crystal Palace until the end of term. The versatile 32-year-old was drafted in after the Hoops were thwarted in their hopes of bringing Kieran Tierney back this month, having already secured the fans’ favourite’s return in the summer.
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers didn't get the Celtic transfer window he wanted and every word he said proves it
Schlupp – who was a Foxes teammate of Kasper Schmeichel – will bolster the backline but can also play left wing or across the midfield – and has even been deployed as a frontman over a long Premier League career where he’s clocked up almost 300 appearances.
The Palace favourite said: “I am really happy to join Celtic, such a massive and iconic name in football. I have spoken to Brendan, and I am really looking forward to working with him and the lads in the squad as we aim to bring more silverware to our supporters. The team has already done brilliantly this season, both domestically and in Europe, and I know I am joining a really successful team, but I want to add to this, to play my own part and help us achieve even more.
“I can’t wait to get started, to pull on those famous green and white hoops, meet the fans and give everything I have to bring us more and more good times.”
Rodgers told the Celtic website: “I am really pleased that we have been able to bring Jeffrey to the club. I know he will love it at Celtic and I am sure our fans will love him and what he can bring to us. He is a fantastic guy, someone with real high-level experience and with great attributes including power, pace and versatility. I know that he can be a really important addition to our squad this season.”
Rodgers was happy to land Schlupp – but left frustrated in attempts to bolster his attack. Celts had been tracking long term target Mathias Kvistgaarden but their interest cooled when Brondby bumped up their valuation to around £14m.
Slovan Bratislava’s David Strelec was also in the frame but the £8m fee was deemed too steep – while a loan move for Kelechi Iheanacho failed to get off the ground. Celts were also exploring Danny Ings at West Ham, but the 32-year-old was also being chased by Everton and Southampton, before being part of the Hammers squad against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Celtic youngster Daniel Cummings will have to wait until the summer to head to the London club after the West Ham saw a bid of around £600,000 bounced by Parkhead bosses. Irish frontman Johnny Kenny’s future was also in the balance with several clubs in Scotland – and former side Shamrock Rovers – in the hunt to for a loan deal.
But the Hoops pulled the plug as their striker search hit the buffers. Rodgers will need to hope £9m man Idah remains fit although the Irishman has hinted though he could utilise Daizen Maeda as a centre forward if needed.
The winger is banned for the Champions League playoff first leg clash with Bayern Munich next week but returning hero Jota is up and running with a goal on his second spell debut at Motherwell on Sunday. The Hoops also trimmed their squad over the window, with fringe men Luis Palma, Stephen Welsh And Alex Valle making exits.
