With three wins from four games, Celtic are positioned pretty well to make a real claim for the Premiership title this season as well. Brendan Rodgers has an impressive squad to chose from for games this season, but the loss of Moussa Dembele late in the transfer window might come back to haunt them later in the season. However, one player who might be able to compensate for that loss is the experienced Gabby Agbonlahor.
The Birmingham born striker started his career with Aston Villa as a kid and graduated into the first team in 2005. He spent 13 long years on the books of the club appearing in 391 games in all competitions. He registered 86 goals and 57 assists in that time but finally ended his ties with Villa, at the end of the last season.
He is currently a free agent but has continued to train and keep himself fit. He is still 31 and has a few years left in his locker. Agbonlahor recently was at Celtic Park, playing a charity game for his club. Speaking to the media after the game, he was all praises for the Celts and also revealed that he would love to join the club.
“I think every player if they had the chance to play for Celtic would take it,” he said. “Can you imagine playing in front of 60,000 people inside this place,” he added. So should Rodgers make a move for Gabby?
A versatile striker, who can also put in a shift on the wing, the 31-year old is an experienced campaigner, with some ruthless finishing. He is strong and athletic, can create chances for his side by dropping deep, but can also act as a target man, keeping opposition centre-backs busy.
His touch and close control are right up there with the best while his experience allows him to make smart decisions, even under pressure. At his age, he may not be a long-term prospect, but he surely has the quality to make a difference to this Celtic side.
Rodgers currently has Odsonne Edouard as his first choice striker with Leigh Griffiths acting as a backup. But it is Olivier Ntcham and Dedryck Boyata, who are the club’s top goal scorers. Neither of them are attackers which shows that gaping hole Dembele has left in the Celtic squad.
Celtic do have the firepower to outscore opponents even with the current squad but adding the experience and calm of Agbonlahor would only make them stronger. Available as a free agent, the former Aston Villa man is also a hard-working player who fits into Rodgers’s system well and his admiration for Celtic would surely make him give his all every game.
He may not be the best possible replacement for the Belgian youngster, but Agbonlahor is undoubtedly a player Rodgers should keep an eye on.
