Latest reports from the Scotsman suggests that Celtic are linked with a move for Red Star Belgrade striker Milan Pavkov. Daily Record had earlier reported that the Celtic scouts were present in attendance to watch the Serbin outfit take on Napoli in the Champions League encounter. We speculated at that time that Pavkov could be the man the Hoops scouts are eyeing and it seems like the 24-year-old forward was really the centre of interest for the Glaswegian outfit.
The major reason why Celtic could be after a striker is that they are yet to find a replacement for Moussa Dembele who left the club on the last day of the summer transfer window. Odsonne Edouard’s lousy form has put more fire to the assertions that the Hoops need a striker and Pavkov could be that man Rodgers turns towards in the January transfer window.
The striker came off the bench in the latter stages of the game against Napoli, so there is not much information the Hoops could have gathered about the striker from that game. However, the 24-year-old has been in terrific form in the Serbian league in the past year.
Last season while playing for Radnički Niš on loan, the striker managed 23 goals in 33 appearances. Such performances made the Red Star manager include him regularly in the side for this season, and he has already returned the favour by scoring three goals in four league games.
Pavkov might not be a like for like replacement for someone like Dembele as he is a classic target man. He stands at 6ft 4inches and uses his physicality well to protect the ball. The Serbian is exceptional in the air and also packs a mean punch with his right foot.
The Bhoys have struggled to score goals freely this season as Edouard has now gone seven games without scoring. Dembele’s absence has certainly affected them as they sit six points adrift from the top of the table. Signing a striker in January could be a priority for the manager if things don’t turn around for good in the last few months of the year.
The Serbian forward can play in a lone striker role as well as partner up with someone like Leigh Griffiths who is the smaller and more mobile striker playing off the target man striker. We don’t often see the combination of two strikers up front, but we believe Rodgers can use this formula to solve his side’s goal-scoring woes. Pavkov is in the last year of his contract, so there is a good chance of signing him. However, the form which the 24-year-old has showcased might make Red Star convince him to stay put at the club.
