Qarabağ manager Qurban Qurbanov has spoken again about Camilo Durán after his side’s 3-0 home win over Vestri tonight, offering more praise for the Celtic-bound striker.
Speaking after the match via Qarabağ’s YouTube channel, Qurbanov was asked about the qualities of his current attacking options and made a point of mentioning Durán, who is now at the final stage of his move to Celtic.
It was not a fresh transfer update in the same way as his pre-match press conference, when he made clear the deal was not yet official. This time, it was more about what Qarabağ feel they are losing.
Qurbanov said: “Camilo Durán had his own specific qualities. We used them as much as possible. It would not have been bad if he was still here, but I was satisfied with both of them.”
That line says plenty about how highly Durán was viewed inside Qarabağ.
The Colombian forward has already been pictured in Celtic training gear at the club’s camp in Portugal, with the official announcement still to come. Qurbanov had said yesterday that the deal was close but not yet fully completed, and the latest comments do not change that position.
Durán was an important part of their attack last season and made his mark in Europe. Celtic have moved for him after a campaign where he showed he can lead the line, work across different attacking roles and cause problems against better-level opposition.
Qurbanov’s comment that Qarabağ used his qualities “as much as possible” is a useful insight into the type of player Celtic are getting. He is not being spoken about as a project who was still waiting to make an impact. He was already trusted and valued by a manager who has built one of the strongest sides in Azerbaijan.
For Martin O’Neill, Durán adds another option through the middle at a time when Celtic need more attacking depth. The manager has already spoken about the striker’s hold-up play and strength, and Qurbanov’s comments add to the sense that Celtic are signing a forward with more to his game than just goals.
Qarabağ may have won comfortably without him tonight, but their manager still sounded like a man who knows exactly what Durán brought to his team.
