Ex-Celtic player Charlie Nicholas thinks his former club should be showing more ambition in their hunt to sign a new left-back.
The Hoops are reportedly preparing a third bid for Charlton Athletic’s Alfie Doughty but Nicholas believes they should be pursuing names like Leicester’s Christian Fuchs and Tottenham’s Danny Rose:
“They are crying out for a left-back and I would go and ask about Christian Fuchs at Leicester City. The Austrian is a wily old fox that would give the Celtic defence some bite and is exactly what they need both domestically and for the Europa League. I know he is 34 but he is experienced, strong and an attacking left-back. He is sound defensively and good going forward.”
“I don’t think he would cost a lot of money and Leicester might even help out on the wage front. Fuchs would come with a real top-level pedigree and let’s not forget he has also won the Premier League at Leicester.”
“I would love to see Celtic go and try and get a big-name in, even if it wasn’t Fuchs, say somebody like Tottenham’s Danny Rose. He’s a top-level full-back but is on a big salary and I just think somebody who might be too rich, but that is the sort of player Celtic should be aiming at.”
As Nicholas says himself, the major stumbling block in a deal for either player would be their sizeable wages. If either Leicester or Tottenham agree to supplement their salaries, a deal would make more sense but there are still other factors to consider.
In Fuchs’ case, the Austrian has had his issues with injuries and, at 34 years of age, it would very much be a short-term solution. At 30, Rose would be a slightly younger alternative but his unconvincing loan spell at Newcastle last season leaves big question marks over whether he still has the desire to play at the highest level. The decision to look for younger, hungrier players may well prove to be a good decision by Celtic.
