After a huge backlash from supporters after late and low-key transfer business over the past two windows, the Celtic board are finally being proactive to make things right before next season. If a recent report from The Daily Mail is true, the Hoops are eyeing a double raid on Plymouth Argyle by snapping up Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj.
Pepple, 23, began his professional career in the USA with Calgary Foothills before joining the Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC. Luton Town snapped him up for €100k in August 2022, but he was sold to the Pilgrims last summer for a fee of around €350k. The young centre-forward never featured for the Hatters, as he spent his time out on loan with Grimsby Town, Bromley, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Southend United and Chesterfield before joining the League One side following their relegation from the English Championship.
Tolaj, the former Switzerland youth international, spent his youth years across FC Sion and Brighton & Hove Albion, before the latter loaned him out to Cambridge United, Salford City and Dundee for first-team football. However, the 24-year-old hitman was eventually released by the Seagulls, having failed to leave a mark in the lower leagues of England and Scotland.
But he showed his expertise high up the pitch with the non-league outfit Aldershot Town. His scoring streak continued in League Two upon joining Port Vale, thus helping the Valiants grab a promotion to the third tier. The Greens splashed €1.4m to tie him down in the summer window, and his exquisite form up top has so far kept them in the mix for a playoff spot. Tolaj and Pepple have netted 18 and 11 goals respectively so far this season across competitions under Tom Cleverley’s tutelage.
Why Celtic Should Bring Them In As Part Of Attacking Rebuild
Celtic, meanwhile, made two loan signings in the winter to bolster the ‘number 9’ spot amid Kelechi Iheanacho’s persistent injury problems. But neither Tomas Cvancara nor Junior Adamu has done enough to be roped in permanently for a combined £11.3m fee at the end of the current campaign.
Although the Plymouth pair are untested in the higher division, the Celts have found a market opportunity, given their availability for a fraction of the aforementioned figure. They should still bring in a prolific and proven name to lead the line, but a squad reform would demand depth and quality, something the Scottish champions have lacked since Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure. Daizen Maeda has been a shadow of his earlier self; also, Iheanacho’s fitness woes could prevent them from extending his contract beyond this summer.
It would be easier to lure in the duo if Plymouth fail to secure a Championship status, but the Bhoys must show enough intent, with several English teams keeping close tabs on their impact in League One.
