After appearing to lose out on Ivan Toney of Peterborough United, Neil Lennon looks to be trying to add a striker at the opposite end of his career as back-up to Odsonne Edouard, according to BBC Sport.
In a move that doesn’t reflect well on Patryk Klimala and Leigh Griffiths, 33-year old Steven Fletcher is said to have been offered a one-year deal to play for Celtic after leaving English Championship side, Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his current contract, if Lennon truly trusted the understudies there wouldn’t be much need for this type of transfer, however, there are rumours of the proposed move breaking down.
BREAKING! It’s understood talks have broken down between Steven Fletcher and #CelticFC
Stoke City are now favourite to sign the Scotland striker this summer pic.twitter.com/zYAv6sQwk5
— PLZ Soccer (From 🏠) (@PLZSoccer) August 6, 2020
The Scotland international has never been a prolific goal scorer but it is easy to see why the Hoops gaffer would look to acquire his services, having a player that can hold the ball up and bring others into play fits perfectly into Lennon’s game plan with the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi, Ryan Christie and James Forrest all capable of chipping in with goals.
One former Celt who has backed the deal is Chris Sutton who went as far as to brand Fletcher a “near perfect replacement” for Edouard, not in terms of quality or as a long-term option if the Frenchman is sold but on the occasions that he needs to be rested.
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Lennon has reverted to the 4-2-3-1 formation from the first half of last season, however, he may feel that if he can get the likes of Fletcher or Albian Ajeti through the door that he has the resources to go back to the 3-5-2 shape that served him so well after the winter break lsat season.
The main thing for Hoops fans is that they don’t see Fletcher for something that he isn’t – the man to replace Edouard – but to see him for what he is, a reliable, experienced back-up available for free, nothing more, nothing less.