A Six-month loan deal is often frustrating for the fans and manager until and unless the player can hit the ground running almost immediately after joining the club. Celtic managed to bring the likes of Oliver Burke, Timothy Weah and Jeremy Toljan on short term loans. There is no clause which could see the Hoops sign them permanently in the summer. However, Jeremy Toljan is the one player they need to go all out to have a bright future at Celtic Park.
The German right-back had to make his debut earlier than expected as Mikael Lustig was substituted early due to an injury in the tie against St. Johnstone. The 24-year-old looked the part in the Celtic setup as he created quite a few opportunities down the right.
Defensively he looked strong in his challenges, and his blistering pace allowed him to track back quickly when the opposition had the ball. In just 45 minutes, it seemed like the player has been playing throughout the season with the Hoops and there is no doubt that Toljan can be proper right back option to have for years to come.
Given that he is just 24, the club will have a real long term solution to the right back problem. The fans also need to play their part and make the player feel at home as Celtic’s chances of landing him would increase significantly if the player himself decides to continue at Parkhead beyond this season.
We think Dortmund can be willing to sell at the right price as Toljan didn’t even make a single Bundesliga appearance this season under Lucien Favre. Therefore it is clear that the right-back doesn’t feature in the manager’s plans and there is every chance that the German heavyweights can sanction a move for him in the summer.
The defender featured prominently for Dortmund up until the last season, and Celtic have got a top player in him for the rest of the campaign. Toljan is a typical modern-day fullback as he likes to attack. The club should go all in to sign him on a permanent deal as Lustig and Cristian Gamboa are both in the final six months of their contract. The club should look to keep Lustig on a short term contract as he is already 33, but the Swedish international can be a decent backup option to have at Celtic Park.
The Hoops have been after a right back since the last summer transfer window. Even though Toljan’s signing is a loan deal, the player can have a significant impact. Celtic should start working behind the doors to get him on a permanent deal in the summer.
