Nadir Ciftci, the Turkey-born forward, arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2015 for £1.5m after impressing at rival side Dundee United. The striker lit the Scottish Premiership up with 25 goals in 68 appearances while playing for the Tangerines. His slick movement pattern paired with a keen eye from goal made him a bargain signing for the 6 time reigning champions.
But somehow the 25-year-old’s promise and flair died down over the past couple of seasons after failing to impress at the Celtic Ground. His four-goal tally in 22 matches were not enough to find him a starting spot under Brendan Rodgers and the Turk was sent out on loan to Eskişehirspor in the January of 2016.
Ciftci shifted around Europe with a couple more loan spells with Pogoń Szczecin and Plymouth Argyle and has now left Celtic on loan to join fellow Scottish club, Motherwell.
“My first impressions have been really good,” he said on his arrival at Motherwell. “It feels like home. It gives me a good feeling already. I obviously know the league and the teams. I’ve played a lot of times against Motherwell as well so it will be a good place to kick on.”
His arrival is a huge boost for the Steelmen who are currently in the 8th spot of the Scottish league and is eyeing a return to the playoff spots ahead of Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone. Ciftci can finally fit the boots of Louis Moult who departed the club a week back.
The former Turkey U19 international came close to signing for Motherwell last January before the deal fell through. A third attempt by the Stephen Robinson deemed fruitful making both parties happy with the deal.
As for Celtic, it is not regular to think that a side who lost 7-1in Europe on a certain midweek to be playing a domestic cup final that very same weekend. However, Celtic’s domestic performances have been very contrasting to their European form this season. While in the Scottish Premier League they have been nothing but ruthless and dominating, their Champions League adventure has seen them struggle in front of the European powerhouses.
Celtic have won fifteen and drawn six in the league and lost just once. They, however, still clinched the third spot in Europe group stages and qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League, once again reminding Europe that they are there. With the club managing to hang around in Europe and a domestic season where they look set to clinch another title losing player, no matter how off form he might be may not have been the best idea, especially with Moussa Dembele set to leave the club.
