Jordan Rhodes has already become a popular candidate among Championship clubs for the upcoming January transfer window with as many six teams keeping tabs on him and with reports emerging that Middlesbrough are ready to trigger an auction for the striker, Scottish giants Celtic are also chipping in.
Boro would surely want to recoup the £9million they paid for the 26-year-old and clubs like Burnley, Hull, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City, Brighton, Derby, have shown interest in the goal-scorer, with Celtic being the latest one.
Boro manager Aitor Karanka has confirmed Rhodes can leave Middlesbrough saying, “Jordan is a player in this squad but if he wants to leave, if we receive the right offer from a club that wants to buy him, and we are happy with the deal, then fine.”
Given their financial prowess, Celtic would surely be the favourites to sign the forlorn Boro striker. Although Celtic have by far the strongest squad in the Scottish Premiership, an improvement is always welcome. Their forwards are all gun blazing this season with Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths sharing eleven goals among themselves so far. However, Dembele is a top target for many European giants and Celtic are surely keeping an eye to filling his void when the time comes.
As for Jordan Rhodes, he is a quality striker who has immense experience in the Championship level as he has been there for many years now. Surprisingly, his good form never earned him any interest from Premier League despite being so consistent in the second tier. He came to the top flight after helping Middlesbrough get promotion and has since then struggled for both opportunities and form at the Riverside Stadium.
He has appeared just twice in the Premier League so far this season and starting only once. Alvaro Negredo’s inclusion was sure to have placed him before Rhodes in the pecking order, but the Spaniard’s form has not been anything near outstanding so far and Karanka still didn’t opt for his old aide. There is every chance he is looking towards an exit in the winter.
Rhodes is an absolute goal machine with 91 goals and 16 assists from 189 Championship games over the years. He could easily break into Celtic’s first team. And given the competitive level in Scottish Premiership, which is often considered a one-horse race, Rhodes’ deadly finishing, brilliant movement and a lethal approach in front of the goal will make Celtic a formidable force.
Celtic have been quite unbeatable in Scotland and the next target for Brendan Rodgers should be doing well on the European stage. And Rhodes could be a decent signing as the first step towards that achievement.
