Celtic’s ongoing hunt for a replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi has taken a frustrating turn, with the club missing out on two key transfer targets. Despite weeks of speculation and negotiations, the Glasgow giants have been unable to secure a much-needed striker, leaving manager Brendan Rodgers with limited options as the season intensifies.
Danish forward Mathias Kvistgaarden has been linked with Celtic since the summer of 2023, but the club’s failure to meet Brøndby’s valuation has stalled the deal. In a bid to secure a quick alternative, Celtic turned their attention to Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, a player with Premier League experience and a past working relationship with Rodgers at Leicester City. However, negotiations with Sevilla collapsed, allowing Middlesbrough to step in and gain the upper hand in signing the Nigerian forward.
The January transfer window is notoriously difficult, and this year has proven no different. Even with an extended deadline, the club has struggled to finalize deals, raising concerns among fans about the squad’s depth. With Furuhashi’s move to Rennes completed well in advance, many expected Celtic to have a replacement lined up, but as the clock ticks down, no high-profile signing has materialized.
Rodgers has previously stated that he views Daizen Maeda as a winger, but given the team’s current situation, he may have no choice but to utilize the Japanese international as a temporary striker. With a packed schedule ahead, including six matches in just over two weeks, Celtic’s attacking options appear worryingly thin. Young forwards Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings are part of the squad, but their lack of first-team experience makes them unlikely solutions.
With time running out in the transfer window, Celtic fans are eager for an update from Rodgers, who will likely face pressing questions before and after the match against Motherwell. The club’s inability to secure a top-tier striker despite knowing Furuhashi’s departure was imminent has left many supporters frustrated. Whether Celtic can still pull off a last-minute signing remains to be seen, but for now, their squad depth remains a significant concern.