Celtic had an incredibly difficult campaign in 2020/21 but with Ange Postecoglou at the helm, there is renewed hope.
He touched down in Glasgow for the first time following quarantine on Wednesday afternoon and the new Hoops boss has now completed his first interview with club media at Lennoxtown.
What’s the word?
Postecoglou has spoken impressively so far during his short spell in charge of the club, talking of his desire to strengthen his squad in the window when he was first hired.
The Hoops have been linked with plenty of players in the last few days from Cameron Carter-Vickers to Aaron Hickey.
However, fresh reports suggest the Bhoys are aiming to improve their options in the final third too.
Transfermarkt reporter Manuel Veth claims that Celtic are watching Ryan Gauld ahead of a potential move.
The Premiership side will face competition from Vancouver Whitecaps who have already registered a bid for his services.
Christie upgrade
Ryan Christie endured a particularly difficult season in 2020/21. With James Forrest out injured, the Scot was forced to play in an unfavoured role on the flanks.
The Scotland international is an attacking midfielder by trade but only played in that position on ten occasions.
Christie featured on the right-hand side of midfield 21 times but only scored two goals and registered a solitary assist from that role on the field.
[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-transfer-news-posetcoglou-ryan-delap-wyke" title= "Read the latest Celtic transfer news!"]
Overall, the 26-year-old netted 13 fewer strikes than he managed during the prior campaign, seriously taking his foot off the gas in the final third.
The midfielder was still taken to the European Championships but managed just 45 minutes during the entire tournament; that happened to be the opening half of Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic.
Christie is due to leave the club shortly. This summer is the final chance they can secure a fee for his services with the player’s contract expiring in January.
Ryan Gauld, however, would be an expert replacement.
The 25-year-old has come a long way since breaking through at Dundee United as a teenager. Dubbed a Mini Messi, Gauld hasn’t quite lived up to his full potential.
He moved to Sporting Lisbon when he was younger and now plays for Farense in the top-flight of Portuguese football. A number of clubs have chased his services in the last few months but Celtic must ensure they are at the front of the queue.
Gauld scored nine times last season, taking his tally for Farense to 20. The attacking midfielder was also creative enough to supply seven strikes for his teammates.
Previously described as “unstoppable” by Kenny Miller, the Celtic target has always had a bit of Brazilian flair about him.
It’s rare for a Scottish player to possess technical excellence but Gauld certainly has that in his armoury.
He provided 2.3 key passes per game last term, a tally that was only bettered by David Turnbull in the Hoops squad.
Gauld is also far more efficient in front of goal than Christie. He scored nine league goals from 2.4 shots per game in 2020/21. Celtic’s enigmatic forward, however, found the net on only four occasions in the Premiership from 2.8 attempts per match.
One of the biggest criticisms of the Bhoys attacker last term was his reckless shooting. Therefore, any upgrade on that is likely to go down well at Paradise.
Postecoglou must do his best to bring the Scottish talent back to his home country.