Celtic have had an indifferent start to the season as they missed out on Champions League qualification but in the last month or so, they have picked up the pace and currently sit on top of the table. One can say the Hoops are still favourites to sweep away all the domestic titles once again even though they had a poor start and also an unsuccessful summer transfer window.
One of the players they did sign was Daniel Arzani who was on a two-year loan at Park Head from Manchester City. However, in his first appearance, the Australian winger suffered an injury and is out for the season. Therefore Brendan Rodgers can look for a winger in the January market, and we believe the former Liverpool manager can bring in another Australian in the form of Connor Pain.
The 25-year-old winger is currently linked with a move to Hull City who are struggling in the Championship. Rodgers had previously seen Pain from close quarters when he was the manager of Liverpool, and the Reds had gone to Australia for a preseason game against Melbourne Victory.
In fact, Rodgers went on to specifically praise him after the game as he troubled the Liverpool defenders. Back in 2013, Rodgers had said,”The young boy Pain makes some terrific runs from outside to in. He hit a great shot that moved a bit and Brad Jones made a really good save.”
Pain’s contract with his current side Central Coast Mariners is expiring next summer and the player could look for a move away from Australia to pursue bigger dreams. The 25-year-old is a traditional winger who likes to play down the left and can deliver some vicious crosses. However, he is equally capable of playing down the right flank as well.
Scott Sinclair and Callum McGregor usually play down the left but with so many midfielders out injured, McGregor has moved into a more central role and Sinclair is generally getting the nod on the left flank.
However, his performances have been disappointing and way too inconsistent and it wouldn’t be wrong in saying that the Hoops would rather see McGregor starting in that position again. Therefore there is a case of bringing in a left winger for the future.
The 25-year-old winger might probably be looking for his big break in his career and maybe Rodgers can give him that in the future. The Bhoys also have a decent history of bringing in players from Australia and perhaps they can look at someone like Pain. Five years on from giving him some high praise, it remains to be seen whether the Northern Irish manager would go after him.
