Celtic Identify This In-form ‘Number 9’ As A Striking Option: Would He Improve Their Quality In Attack? | OneFootball

If a recent update from transfer reporter Rudy Galetti (as cited by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Rangers have identified Nardin Mulahusejnovic as one of their striking targets before Monday’s winter deadline. They are also in the mix for  Bodo/Glimt ace Kasper Hogh and Freiburg’s Junior Adamu. But the Noah FC ‘number 9’ remains an option if they fail to snap up either of the above names.

The 27-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international has been a journeyman all his career. Besides a brief stint with Željezničar, he primarily progressed through Bratstvo Gračanica’s academy ranks before securing a first-team status. Zrinjski Mostar secured his services on a Bosman, but eventually sanctioned a €150k exit to the Slovak giants Maribor following a productive six-month spell with GOŠK Gabela.

Although he had a forgettable tenure in Maribor, a move to fellow Slovenian PrvaLiga outfit Koper saw him revive his rhythm high up the pitch. Mura splashed €400k to have him in their ranks, but the big centre-forward eventually returned to his homeland with Sarajevo, failing to score enough for the Murska Sobota side.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Nardin Mulahusejnovic of NS Mura wins a header during the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between Tottenham Hotspur and NS Mura at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

After a year with Dynamo Makhachkala in Russia, Mulahusejnovic finally regained his scoring touch upon his return to Koper, followed by Zrinjski Mostar. He enjoyed a 16-goal season for the latter, which earned him a €230k transfer to Armenian champions Noah last summer. The Bosnian is currently the joint top scorer (with Mikael Ishak and Franko Kovačević) with 5 goals in 6 UEFA Europa Conference League fixtures, and Celtic, despite loaning in Tomáš Čvančara from Borussia Monchengladbach for the remainder of the season, are now eyeing another targetman.

Do Celtic Need Another ‘Number 9’?

The Hoops, on paper, have ample options upfront. Kelechi Iheanacho is back from his injury, and the young Johnny Kenny has shown his sparks as an understudy to Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda. Maeda, however, is more effective from the wide for his work rate and link-up play, and the arrival of Čvančara allowed him to shift to his preferred position against Hearts in their previous Premiership contest.

Meanwhile, Iheanacho’s fitness woes could frustrate Celtic further in the decisive months of the season. Kenny is not ready yet to handle the pressure week in and week out, and the failure of both Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, as well as Jota’s season-ending injury, demands Maeda’s creative spark as a wing forward. In-form Mulahusejnovic might prove productive as a ‘super sub’, as the Bhoys would look to bank on his current form in Europe to bolster their Premiership hopes.