According to a recent report by the Telegraph (Paid Subscription Required), Premiership giants Celtic have been touted to make a move for the services of Israeli striker Shon Weissman, if Odsonne Edouard departs Parkhead in the upcoming summer window. The report suggests that the Hoops are determined to keep their talismanic French forward at the club next season, but interest from massive clubs like Arsenal could prove to be too much for the Scottish side to hold off.
Although this is the case, the Glasgow club are said to be readying up for the worst of scenarios, with Shon Weissman being targeted by Celtic as Edouard’s replacement. While the possibility of an unprecedented tenth straight Premiership title should be enough to keep the Frenchman for at least another year, there’s no denying that his departure from Celtic Park is nothing but an eventuality. If the forward does decide to quit, then Celtic have reportedly prioritised a move for the Israeli striker.
What Is Celtic’s Current Situation In Attack?
The Hoops started the last campaign with three recognised striking options to choose from, but soon lost Leigh Griffiths to injury until around the halfway mark, and were hence forced to depend on Edouard. While Vakoun Bayo remained an option too, the Ivorian’s inconsistency was a concern for Neil Lennon.
They tried to address this issue by signing a new striker in January and brought in Patryk Klimala from the Polish league. Although he didn’t make the worst of impacts, the Celtic fans didn’t get to see nearly enough of him to be able to come to a conclusion. This means that if Edouard were to depart Parkhead this summer, then Lennon would have a real problem on his hands.
What Would Shon Weissman Add To This Celtic Team?
The former Maccabi Haifa academy graduate has been nothing short of a sensation since his free transfer to the Austrian Eredivisie last summer. Having arrived with massive expectations, it’s safe to say that the Israel international has lived up to the hype. The forward has been scoring goals at an inhuman rate, with the Wolfsberger AC man scoring 22 times from 21 league appearances just this campaign. The 24-year-old scored a further two goals in the Austrian club’s short Europa League spell as well.
The Israel international is a centre-forward by position but is also capable of operating on one of the flanks, or even as the second striker if required. Despite not being the tallest player in the world, Weissman isn’t afraid to impose himself physically and uses his upper body strength to keep hold of the ball or win it back.
The 24-year-old is adept at timing runs into space, and his fairly diminutive stature makes it easier for him to slip past any onlooking defenders. It was only after the switch to Austria that Weissman became a full international, and since the move, he’s gone on to earn four caps.
Shon Weissman Being Targeted By Celtic: Smart Business For Neil Lennon’s Side?
The prolific forward is contracted to the Eredivisie club only until the end of the 2020/21 league season, which means that luring him to Glasgow this summer might not be the most challenging task. With the coronavirus situation now putting a majority of the world’s football clubs in difficult positions, it’s likely that the Austrian minnows will want to cash in to maintain financial balance.
Edouard has been a solid presence up front for Celtic over the last few years, and his departure would definitely have a gutting effect. But, acquiring a player of Weissman’s reputation, could be exactly what this Hoops team needs to secure that record-breaking tenth league title.
