It’s going to be a busy summer for the Scottish champions who must rope in a few new names in order to achieve their historic ‘ten in a row’ mission. Plenty of rumours are making the headlines over the past couple of months and the former Leeds United forward, now a pundit, Noel Whelan has backed the Celtic target Jordon Ibe to shine at the Paradise.
What Went Wrong For The Attacker At Bournemouth
The 24-year-old former Liverpool youngster has witnessed a drastic downfall since completing a club-record £15m transfer to Bournemouth back in the summer of 2016. He has fallen down the pecking order having failed to impress gaffer Eddie Howe and is now available for free once his current deal expires by the end of June.
The once highly-rated attacker has only been handed a couple of cameos earlier this campaign and a shocking five goals in 92 (stats via Transfermarket) Bournemouth appearances suggest why the Cherries are set to part ways with the former England youth international. Ibe has been involved in a string of off-field incidents too and therefore, would benefit from a fresh start to resurrect his career.
“I am pretty sure he is a player that Neil Lennon can get the best out of. They did it with Scott Sinclair. He had a fantastic period there. They probably see him as a similar player but he needs to meet the expectations people had of him when he left Liverpool.”
Whelan told Football Insider while discussing the winger’s potential Glasgow move.
Why Celtic Should Tie Him Down Despite The Underwhelming Run
Celtic have made Ibe a summer target to strengthen themselves down the wide areas. They suffered a couple of winter exits when Sinclair and Lewis Morgan left for Preston North End and Inter Miami respectively. Michael Johnston, though impressive since breaking into the senior side, endured successive fitness woes in recent months.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, on loan from Southampton, had a promising spell up until his injury. However, it is still unclear whether the Hoops would tie him down on permanent terms amid the financial instability in the wake of global health concerns.
Marian Shved is seemingly not in Neil Lennon’s plan and snapping up Ibe on a Bosman, thus, should be viewed as a shrewd piece of transfer business to restore depth, quality as well as balance on the flanks.
