According to a recent report from The Sun (February 23, page 63), Celtic backed out of a deal for Sheffield Wednesday’s striker Jordan Rhodes in January. The primary reason is the demand made by the Owls as they wanted £1m loan fee for the striker and Celtic were also asked to pay his full wages which is said to be around £40,000-a-week.
The Scottish striker is known to be a self-claimed Celtic fan. The Hoops backing off a deal in January reportedly left the player ‘high and dry’. Rhodes has started just four games in the Championship this season, and he has struggled for game time. The Owls brought in new attacking options like Alessio da Cruz, Connor Wickham and Josh Windass in January and Rhodes seem to have fallen further down the pecking order.
What are Rhodes’ capabilities?
Lennon must have taken note of Rhodes when he was the manager of Bolton Wanderers. Rhodes, then playing for Blackburn Rovers, had managed to score 20 plus goals for three consecutive season. However, the 30-year old striker’s best days seem to be behind him.
Rhodes has also represented Scotland 14 times, but he is nowhere in the frame to play for them now. The striker is known for his aerial ability and hold up play. He is also a lethal finisher in the box, and many would describe him as having a natural instinct in and around the penalty box. However, he might have struggled to fit in at Celtic as they rely heavily on intelligent movement and link-up play in the attacking third, which are not really Rhodes’ strengths.
Did Celtic make the right call by not going after him?
Celtic required a striker in January, and they brought in Patryk Klimala. We believe that the Hoops made the right decision by not going after Rhodes as he seems to be past his prime. Moreover, he has struggled to get much game for the past two seasons.
A £1m loan fee and his wages would have been a sizeable financial setback for the Hoops. Rhodes is already 30, so he isn’t going to be an option worth considering for the future. Klimala is yet to make an impact this season, but he is more of a project player who can turn into a top option with more experience. Lennon would be glad that Leigh Griffiths managed to find his form at the right time and missing out on Rhodes doesn’t look like a mistake for the Hoops.
