Celtic are regarded for their extensive scouting network to rope in talents and promote them in the senior setup to exhibit their excellence. Many of them earned worldwide recognition and eventually grabbed a high-profile switch to European hotshots. However, the story of Teemu Pukki has been quite the opposite as he rather revived his career since leaving the Bhoys.
The 30-year-old Finnish sensation is a renowned name in the Premier League for his flamboyance in front of goal. His exquisite scoring ability earned Norwich City a top-flight promotion a year ago as the Canaries claimed the Championship crown banking on Pukki’s 29-goal season.
Early Struggle And Revival Since Leaving Parkhead
The Finland international had quite a rough run in Glasgow during his Celtic days following a £3m move from Schalke back in the summer of 2013. His experience in Germany as well as Spain (with Sevilla) did not help him adjust to the pace and physicality of Scottish football as he netted nine times only before leaving for Brondby one year later on an initial season-long loan.
Despite a slow start, Pukki revived his confidence in Denmark and benefitted from the low-key transfer. Brondby tied him down on permanent terms following an impressive debut campaign, and the prolific centre-forward never looked back ever since en route to proving his expertise in spearheading the attacking line.
Although Norwich are rock bottom in the league standings, Pukki has managed to score 11 times before the unforeseen suspension of the game amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A potential demotion to the second tier would unsettle his future in Norfolk, and the Hoops skipper Scott Brown has revealed his desire to take the former flop back at Parkhead in the forthcoming future.
“I’d bring back Pukki. He was quiet at Celtic. He always worked hard and put defenders under pressure. But when he first came he didn’t look like a natural goalscorer. When I see him playing with Norwich, he’s obviously had that little bit more experience, he’s flying.”
The above was told by the 34-year-old during a Dafabet Captains Call with Grant Hanley (as quoted by The Scottish Sun).
Should Celtic Consider A Summer Swoop?
Pukki guided his nation to qualify for the European Championship – Finland’s first-ever major tournament in history. He fired in ten times during the qualifiers and his development as a free-scoring ‘number 9’ has now been hailed by the veteran Scotsman.
Having said that, the Finnish sensation is in his thirties, and even though a transfer could be arranged if Odsonne Edouard plies his trade to Arsenal amid persistent transfer rumours, Celtic have built a model of promoting the youth over chasing esteemed individuals. The same should be pursued this summer too in case they fail to keep hold of the in-form Frenchman.
