Celtic once again being linked to Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan

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The Celtic Star

·24 June 2025

Celtic once again being linked to Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan

As the summer transfer window continues at pace, Celtic are once again being linked to Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan – as we brought to you at the start of the month on The Celtic Star Transfer Latest – Eduard Spertsyan – ‘A player on Celtic’s radar’.

RUSSIA, KRASNODAR – DECEMBER 10, 2023: FC Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan in action . Photo Stepan Nozdrev/TASS

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If reports are to be believed, and it’s worth considering this recent link may be revisiting of Celtic’s earlier reported interest, Celtic have joined the growing list of admirers tracking the Armenian playmaker, and Spertsyan feels like a good fit for a Brendan Rodgers team.

‘Celtic are monitoring 23-year-old Krasnodar attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan, who has 25 caps for Armenia, according to reports in Russia.

Krasnodar midfielder Eduard Spertsyan, who is reportedly interesting Celtic, was previously linked with Manchester City, Newcastle United, Juventus and Ajax, but while the 23-year-old’s stock has fallen since being valued at £13m, he recently said he is keen to move to Europe’…

Russia Soccer Premier-League Krasnodar – Dynamo 24.05.2025 Krasnodar Soccer Club President Sergei Galitsky awards the trophy to Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan in celebration of their team s victory in the Russian Premier League during the awarding ceremony after their soccer match against Dynamo Moscow, in Krasnodar, Russia. Vitaly Timkiv / Sputnik Krasnodar Russia Photo Vitaly Timkiv

Celtic, arguably, have needed invention in that attacking midfield role ever since Tom Rogic’s exit, and Matt O’Riley headed south to the EPL with Brighton.

There seems to be rumours that Benjamin Nygren may be able to play a deeper central role when he joins up officially from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. However, he appears to favour cutting in on his stronger left foot from the right-wing position.

Reo Hatate has moments of wonderful vision

Reo Hatate has moments of wonderful vision, but isn’t always the consistent inventive type, and you get the impression from the slight alterations in tactics in central midfield last season that Hatate, assuming he stays with Celtic after this summer, will play a little deeper. That seemed to suit him and was also a big help to Callum McGregor particularly towards the end of last season.

Russia Soccer Premier-League Krasnodar – Dynamo 8931892 24.05.2025 Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates his team s victory in the Russian Premier League during the awarding ceremony after their soccer match against Dynamo Moscow, in Krasnodar, Russia. Andrey Shramko / Sputnik Krasnodar Russia

Meanwhile Arne Engels is all physicality and athleticism, with that energy to go box to box. Spertsyan however a bona fide No 10, with a good mix of physical presence and creativity.

Spertsyan already carries himself like he’s more experienced than his age

At just 24, Spertsyan already carries himself like he’s more experienced than his age. He’s really kicked on at Krasnodar in Russia with 30 goal contributions over the last two seasons. He’s got a bit of Rogic inventiveness, mixed with a touch of Lubo’s unpredictability, but he can also mix it physically, which in theory at least would make him a good fit for dealing with Scottish football and the hammer throwers that inhabit our league.

Spertsyan is also reportedly available for a fee within Celtic’s reach, but possibly at the top end, with a price of around £13m mooted.

Rodgers has often found space for a technician

Brendan Rodgers has often found space for a technician or two in his team. Rogic being one but also Scotty Sinclair. Eduard Spertsyan might just be that bums off seat player I think we’ve been crying out for, perhaps no more evidently than at Hampden in May.

Russia Soccer Premier-League Krasnodar – Dynamo 24.05.2025 Krasnodar’s players celebrate their team’s victory in the Russian Premier League during the awarding ceremony after their soccer match against Dynamo Moscow, in Krasnodar, Russia. Jhon Cordoba and Eduard Spertsyan are in the foreground. Andrey Shramko Sputnik Krasnodar Russia Photo Andrey Shramko

Spertsyan is creative and brave on the ball

Spertsyan is creative and brave on the ball, and certainly not afraid to try the box office pass or attempt at goal and he strikes the ball deliciously. We need players like that in Europe where fine margins are everything, but also for those low block defences we’ll face in the Scottish Premiership.

Something new, a report card on a potential Celtic signing, might be helpful to readers…

Eduard Spertsyan

Position: Attacking Midfielder , can also play Right Wing or as an inverted wide playmaker

Foot: Left

Age: 24

Club: FC Krasnodar (Russia)

International Caps: 27 for Armenia

Goals/Assists 2023–24: 10 Goals, 9 Assists in 29 matches.

Style of Play: Playmaker with a punch: Spertsyan operates primarily in the No. 10 slot, but he drifts fluidly into the right half-space to pick up the ball and create overloads.

Long-range specialist: One of the most eye-catching features of his game is his ability to strike from distance. Several of his goals come from outside the box, and he’s confident striking off one touch or from a standing start.

Vision and weight of pass: He consistently finds runners in behind with disguised passes and clipped through balls, which would suit Kyogo’s movement perfectly.

Press-resistant dribbler: Not the fastest player but uses clever body feints and low centre of gravity to beat a man and buy time in tight areas.

Work rate: While more offensive-minded, Spertsyan is no passenger. He’s willing to press high and contribute defensively, tracking runners and winning back possession when needed.

So what are his weaknesses”

Pace: He’s not blisteringly quick. Would rely on intelligent movement and technical quality rather than bursting past fullbacks.

Physicality: Could take time to adjust to the Scottish game’s tempo and physical nature—especially in away games on tighter pitches.

Consistency: Has a tendency to drift out of games if he’s not getting on the ball early. Needs a system that revolves around him—or at least channels possession through him regularly.

Celtic Star Rating: ★★★★☆

CSKA Moscow’s Ivan Oblyakov and FC Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan L-R front fight for the ball. Russian Premier League at the Krasnodar Stadium. Stepan Nozdrev/TASS

This would be an ambitious signing for Celtic

This would be an ambitious signing and would send a message Celtic aren’t resting on our laurels this summer, that we can compete for players like this, and back our manager with the quality he’s clearly asking for.

It may be a case of wishful thinking on my part, but Eduard Spertsyan would be an ideal signing for Celtic, if indeed the interest in the player is genuine. I noticed reports linking him to Leeds United, which of course now has an association of sorts with the limited company over in Govan.

Niall J

From 6 June 2025…

Transfer Latest – Eduard Spertsyan – ‘A player on Celtic’s radar’

Are we ready to go again folks, as it’s another day and another reported transfer target for Celtic, although this one may have some political problems should the Hoops look to complete this deal…

Armenian international Eduard Spertsyan has been namechecked as interesting Celtic, alongside Leeds United and Porto. The attacking midfielder plays in the number 10 role but has also played on occasion as a left and right winger.

Mezzala Futbol and Scout who have 16K followers on X have linked Spertsyan with a move away from Krasnador following their Russian League title win last season.

‘24-25 Scored 11 goals and made 7 assists in 28 games in the Russian Premier League; played a key role in the league title. Offers effective shots and creative passes with his right foot, but his ball losses and defensive awareness are open to improvement.

‘A player on the radar of Porto, Leeds United and Celtic’

At first glance this looks like a difficult deal to carry out given the political issues in doing business with a Russian club, for obvious reasons, but as we saw under Ange Postecoglou such moves are not impossible, when you consider Oliver Abildgaard, Carl Starfelt and Sead Haksabanovic have all been signed from Russian clubs, although granted much earlier in the war with Ukraine.

The value of Spertsyan seems to range between £15m and £21m, depending on the source but it is worth considering the Armenian playmaker’s contract expires next summer so it would be interesting to see if that fee could be negotiated down considerably if Krasnador are likely to lose the player on freedom of contract next summer.

The player has been in excellent form this season scoring 11 goals and assisting on 7 occasions – and since breaking into the Krasnador first team the 24 years old has 44 goals and 32 assists from 143 starts. Meanwhile in 32 caps for Armenia where he made his debut in 2021, he has also scored 6 goals.

Despite playing as a midfielder Spertsyan had the 5th highest shots on target rate in the Russian topflight last season, and for non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes, he came out at 0.72, that was 7th highest in the league. Meanwhile in the 22-23 season he topped the Russian league with 12 assists.

He is a player who is under 6 feet but has a strong physical profile, is difficult to brush of the ball, keeps possession well and is a composed and accurate passer and striker of the ball, he can also be very subtle in his execution, meanwhile he also seems to excel in dead ball situations.

If Celtic were to complete this deal for a Russian title winner, it seems they face competition from newly promoted EPL side Leeds United and Portuguese team Porto. Although both teams would be tough competition it is certainly good company to keep as both sides have a good reputation for recruitment and player trading.

I’d file this one under hopeful but still possible as I think there is room for manoeuvre in terms of the transfer fee and also because the clubs linked with the player whilst tough competitors are not beyond Celtic’s competitive reach.

Eduard Spertsyan would be a wonderful addition to the squad, but would the deal be too difficult for Celtic to pull off? I’ll leave you to your own thoughts on that one.

Niall J

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