Celtic already have possible Daizen Maeda replacement as dressing room verdict on recruit sparks excitement
Solitary signing has looked impressive in pre-season
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo has been wowed by new striker Camilo Duran’s performances during pre-season and claims he possesses a very similar quality to recent departure Daizen Maeda.
Duran completed his £6m from Qarabag to Parkhead earlier this month and has scored in each of their three subsequent friendlies - most recently in the 2-2 stalemate with AC Milan. While his fox-in-the-box style of play has got Celtic fans excited, Sinisalo believes the pressing ability of the 24-year old can also benefit the team going forward.
Attacking output and a high work rate were two attributes Maeda had in abundance during his four-and-a-half years at Celtic Park. The Hoops are now tasked with replacing the Japanese striker following his £10m move to Ipswich Town. Bodo Glimt striker Kasper Hogh has been linked with an £11m Celtic move as he becomes manager Martin O’Neill’s primary target. However, given Duran’s expertise in these areas, have Celtic already found a natural replacement for Maeda?
Can Celtic’s new boy become Maeda 2.0?
Against AC Milan at Parkhead, Duran was gifted the his first goal by the visitors, but was alert to set up James Forrest for Celtic’s second as they took advantage of I Rossoneri being careless in possession. In both instances. Either way, in both instances, the Colombian showed great desire to be in the right place at the right time.
After the match, Sinisalo claimed that Duran’s work-rate could just as important as his ability to score goals for the upcoming campaign. He told Celtic TV: “It’s not just his goals, but you can see the work rate. He is the one starting the press. When you have someone like that, starting the press, everyone else follows. It’s so important.
“He has done so well. Three goals in three games, you can’t really wish for a better start. He has done really well, and long may that continue. It’s the work other than the goals that everyone appreciates, especially the players that you play with. That’s the work that doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Hoops seek further attacking reinforcements
Last season while at Qarabag, Duran bagged five Champions League goals for the Azerbaijan outfit. Danish striker Hogh also was prolific at the highest level in Europe last season, as a pattern emerges between Celtic’s transfer targets. An £11m deal for the 25-year old would be a record incoming signing for the Hoops.
After the match O’Neill said: “Without going too deeply into it, that's the calibre of player that we'd be looking for, who has scored goals in the Champions League. I'm hoping that players coming into the football club who are of some sort of substance, I think that would be the exciting thing for fans. I'm hoping that's the case.