Kvistgaarden has been mentioned as a possible alternative up front for Celtic, and he might be the guy Brendan Rodgers chooses.
Mathias Kvistgaarden is all set for his next big step as reports in Denmark talk him up for a moneyspinning move – and it might just be to Celtic as Brendan Rodgers zeroes in on a new striker.
Rodgers is set to be without Oh, Kyogo and Daizen Maeda for a spell in early 2024 and he’s made no secret of his plans to recruit a new striker to cover his options. Speaking on Friday, the boss once again reiterated his plan to recruit quality up top next month, hinting at ‘names and interests’ on his agenda without expressly naming any.
But there’s been enough surrounding Kvistgaarden to safely assume his name is at least in the conversation. The Denmark youth international, linked with a move that ultimately didn’t materialise in the summer, looks primed and ready. He’s been one of the standout performers in the Superliga this season, scoring and assisting goals for fun to live up to his £7.5m valuation.
A new report from Danish outlet 3point notes how his game has changed over the last few seasons, diving into the data to note a number of things that will stick out like a sore thumb to Celtic scouts. While he’s averaged roughly a goal every three games, he leads the league for assists per 90 with seven in 17 appearances and has been one of the division’s most creative forwards while still chipping in with his fair share of goals.
They also note that he has reduced his shot volume while scoring at a similar rate, pointing towards a maturity in shot selection and decision-making which has him primed and ready for a step up even at just 21 years old.
And all that may be music to Rodgers ears as he insists he needs a striker who can step in right away – with no time for a bedding in period as Kyogo, Oh and Maeda make tracks for international duty. He said: “Clearly we are trying to anticipate over the last few months the guys that will go away to the Asian Cup. If Daizen is away, Kyogo is away and Oh is away, we would have to do something in the market.
“You first look within the club (for a replacement) and if there is anyone who can make that step into the first team. Then you look at if you bring someone in a permanent role, someone who can challenge the guys when they come back. Or are you bringing in a top class loan, who will be with you for that period? That is then about availability. You have to plan forward. There are certainly names and interests there.”
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