This was a thread on Twitter that gave a brilliant insight into Celtic’s new reported transfer target, Riley McGree.
As reports surfaced today that the 23 year old Australian international is a top target for Ange Postecoglou, many Hoops fans would have been Googling the Charlotte FC player the minute his name was mentioned.
But just how good is he? How would he fit into Ange Postecoglou’s side?
Australian football analyst Petar Petrov gave the inside track in a brilliant twitter thread that laid bare the attributes the young Socceroo would bring to Paradise:
THREAD ⚽️
Scouting report: Riley McGree 🇦🇺
– Amidst all the rumors that @McgreeRiley is likely to join @CelticFC, I decided to do a quick report on him in order to show fans what he is about and what they can expect from him. 🍀
Hope you enjoy it! pic.twitter.com/m6j7sIpo98
— Petar Petrov (@PPetrov_FR) January 9, 2022
– He came through the ranks at @AdelaideUnited for whom he made his debut on 19/03 2016.
– Has also played for Brugge, Newcastle Jets (where he scored THIS 😍👇), Melbourne City, and Adelaide again where he impressed and earned a move to Charlotte and Birmingham respectively. pic.twitter.com/pmtcQf7ysC— Petar Petrov (@PPetrov_FR) January 9, 2022
👍 Strong points:
– Fast, very good acceleration.
– Off-the-ball movement.
– Pressing.
– Dribbling in tight spaces.
– Good short and mid-range shooter.
– Dangerous in counter-attacking situations.https://t.co/waN9nTEfWd— Petar Petrov (@PPetrov_FR) January 9, 2022
And the stats can back it up. According to InStat, During the first part of the 21/22 league season, McGree accumulated the most xG by a BCFC midfielder, per90 (0.24), and had the second-highest dribble success rate in the team (74%).
— Petar Petrov (@PPetrov_FR) January 9, 2022
👎 Weak points:
– Aerial duels (29% success rate)
– Heading.
– Long passing. (32% success rate)
– Vertical passing.
– Crossing (20% cross accuracy)All of his weaknesses aren't major and could be worked on considering his age and willingness to improve.
— Petar Petrov (@PPetrov_FR) January 9, 2022
There is much more information on the thread on how he would fit into Ange’s team but this quote, for me, sums him up as a 100% Postecoglou signing, “Riley is technically excellent but is also a hard worker and someone who is not afraid of getting his hands dirty when needed.”
That is the sort of team the Celtic boss is building. Hard working, industrious and energetic and it seems McGree ticks all those boxes.
McRee has also scored two goals in sixteen appearances for the MLS side but it is clearly the hard work he puts in the middle of the pitch Ange has his sights on rather than the Australians eye for goal.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Petrov, “McGree has all the qualities to become a start and a real fan favorite in the SPFL.
“Also, the fact that he could be managed by Ange is very exciting and he could definitely improve him massively which would also benefit the @Socceroos (Riley has 6 appearances for the NT)”
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