TWO CELTIC STRIKER LINKS: WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
We’re well and truly in the silly season at the moment, as far as Celtic transfers go.
However, two names stand out to me as realistic prospects, worthy of a closer look.
Two Celtic Striker Targets, Which Is the Better Option?
First up is a name familiar to many Scottish football fans, former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski.
The Macedonian striker enjoyed a fantastic break out season at Pittodrie, earning a multi-million-pound move to Spanish side Girona.
Their own over-achievements that same season earned them a crack at the Champions League, and Miovski was one of several additions to the Spanish side ahead of that campaign. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out for the 25-year-old,
Celtic could, potentially, now pick up the former Dons striker, once valued at 7 million, for as little as 2.5 million.
Personally, I think that’s a bargain for a player proven at SPFL level and who, at 25 years old still has the potential to step up to European level.
Is it a risk? Yes of course it is. However, in terms of risk management this is one of the safest options Celtic will, in all likelihood, see in their search for a true Kyogo replacement all summer.
2.5 million is a lot of money, but for a striker that Celtic already know can handle the rough and tumble of the Scottish Premiership, for me is a no-brainer. Even if he doesn’t make the step up to European level, which I still believe he can, then it’s still a great bit of business for a player we can confidently deploy in the league on a weekly basis if need be.
So, Miovski gets a thumbs up from me, but what do the rest of you think?
As I said already though, there are two strikers strongly linked with Celtic at the moment.
The other is Youseff El Kachati of Dutch side Telstar. The Moroccan forward scored 25 goals this season, and played a pivotal role in securing promotion to the Eredivisie top flight for Telstar.
There are some parallels here with Greek former Celtic striker Giorgios Giakoumakis. He bagged 30 goals in a single season for another lower ranked Dutch team VVV Venlo. Unfortunately, despite his own form, Venlo were relegated that season, which was what predicated his subsequent transfer to Celtic.
However, El Kachati is a player on the ascendance, whereas, as far as statistics go, it seems Giakoumakis hit his peak before Celtic signed him. At 25, he’s the same age as Miovski, and would probably command a similar fee.
At 6”2 he is not a small player either, and could potentially address the accusation Celtic faced numerous times last season of lacking physicality.
El Kachati also has another advantage over Miovski potentially: versatility.
Miovski is a forward. We don’t know if he can play anywhere else. El Kachati however has also played as a winger, both in The Netherlands and Belgium, during a spell with Westerlo a few years ago.
That added versatility may be especially useful in the early stages of next season while we await the return of Jota from long term injury.
These are ultimately two pretty similar players, at similar stages in their career. However, El Kachati is coming off of his best ever season, albeit at a lower level, whereas Miovski is a player in need of a confidence boost and rehabilitation.
Celtic have proven in recent years to be exceptionally successful when it comes to rehabilitating players whom we know have the ability but maybe their careers have gone astray for whatever reason. Miovski is such a player.
El Kachati though may be the one who would excite the fans more, and whose greater versatility may prove better for overall squad depth.
Personally, I’d gladly take either of them at Celtic. I slightly favor Miovski if it’s a direct choice between the two. However that is purely because I’ve seen more of him, having watched him face Celtic multiple times during his time at Aberdeen.
This is one of those cases though where I’d be happy if Celtic signed either of them. Though if we are really seriously about adding depth and quality to the squad, am I being greedy if I suggest we sign both?
Time will tell.
