Celtic are already making early moves ahead of the summer transfer window, with several deals moving into advanced stages – including the signings of Swedish youngster Benjamin Nygren, Japanese defender Hayato Inamura, and Fulham’s forward Callum Osmand. And, of course, Kieran Tierney’s return has now been officially completed.
Meanwhile, ex-Celtic star Erik Sviatchenko has been helping the Hoops’ scout team look across the Atlantic for fresh talent. The Dane, who spent four years under Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead, believes Major League Soccer holds hidden gems well worth a closer look.
Speaking to RecordSport, the former Celtic defender suggested four players that Celtic should be sending scouts to watch, including one of his teammates.
“I come across some of these players, and these players are great. I have my own kind of teammate, Griffin Dorsey, who has been through tremendous development.
“Right fullback, attacking fullback. I could see him jump into Celtic’s team as a fullback and do amazing.
“There’s Jack McGlynn, who is a 21-year-old playmaker. Incredible. He has one of the most progressive passes all over every league in the world.
“Being 21 years of age, he has played over 100 games in the MLS for Philadelphia first and now for us, and he’s with the national team, has been elected to the Gold Cup tournament too.
“So that’s a player where you think, ‘Okay, if they really want to spend some money, you have an incredible player’.
“Then you have Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew, who is a left-back who does really well, just elected to the national team, American player.
“I think there’s also a player maybe Celtic was linked to, Philip Zinckernagel. He played for Bodo/Glimt, Standard Liège and Club Brugge.
“He plays for Chicago Fire now. He’s a Danish player who has had an incredible start to his MLS career with 14 games, six goals and five assists.”
The Hoops could unearth some undervalued signings to strengthen Rodgers’ squad for the Champions League season ahead.
They have been heavily linked to MLS players before, and already have a talent that emerged in the states in their team – Ali Johnston.
The Hoops were heavily linked to Mateusz Bogusz last summer, and had even launched a formal bid for the player. He has since moved on from the MLS, and is now playing in Mexico at Cruz Azul. Former Celtic star Giorgos Giakoumakis is still playing with the side.
