In the fourth of our pre-transfer window scouting reports, wee_od, switches his focus to the wide positions…
In the fourth of our pre-transfer window scouting reports, wee_od, switches his focus to the wide positions…
First up is Reto Ziegler. A 24 year old Swiss left-back/left-winger. Formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, Ziegler dropped off the radar after failing to make an impact at White Hart Lane, but has since rediscovered his form and become a good quality player. Currently playing for Sampdoria in Italy, his current contract expires in 6 months time.
He mainly featured on the left wing for Spurs but can easily fill in at left-back.
This could give Celtic manager Neil Lennon the option to let Izzaguire get forward more and leave Ziegler behind, or ask Ziegler to sit and cover the left-back position when Izzaguire does go forward on the overlap. Never a bad option to have…
Moving for a player like Ziegler, who has experience of playing in European competitions, would surely be seen as a step forward for Celtic and show that we can attract a higher calibre of player to the club. Although not a star player, Ziegler is the type of player that Celtic have rarely tried to sign since the days of Martin O’Neill.
It could also give us an answer as to the stumbling block, if one exists, behind a move for a player such as Ziegler. The wage factor might be the only stumbling block, however, I think he is certainly the type of player we should be aiming for.
Two young Serbian wingers who could be worth a look are Nemanja Tomic and Aleksandar Davidov – both of whom currently play for Partizan Belgrade.
Nemanja Tomic is a 22-year-old, right-sided, attacking midfielder/winger.
A fantastic Serbian talent who combines amazing dribbling skills with great technical ability, intelligence and creativity.
Tomic has made steady progress with Partizan since breaking into the side during the 2008/2009 season, and has scored two goals this term – including a free-kick in the Champions League qualifier against Pyunik Yerevan.
His main weakness, often said of young players, is that he sometimes holds onto the ball for too long. However, if he improves his decision-making some club is going to have a terrific player on their hands.
Aleksandar Davidov is a 23-year-old, left-sided, attacking midfielder/winger.
This left-sided midfielder has all the correct traits to excel in the role.
He is fast, explosive in possession, has excellent technical abilities, very good dribbling skills and a sweet strike at goal to top it off.
Davidov, who set up Cleo’s second goal against RSC Anderlecht in Champions League qualifying, is a versatile player who has also played in the central and defensive midfield roles.
A lack of physical strength could be his only real weakness, but one which could certainly be worked on.
wee_od – Vital Celtic Head Scout
One player, and another winger, who has grabbed the attention of all of us on Vital Celtic is Guillermo Molins – a player wee_od dedicated the whole of Report #1 to.
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