Don’t scoff at Celtic’s pursuit of Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj

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·21 Maret 2026

Don’t scoff at Celtic’s pursuit of Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj

Don’t scoff at Celtic’s interest in Lorent Tolaj…

Celtic have been linked with a summer move for Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj, after monitoring the Swiss goalscorer on numerous occasions. He has been in fine form for the English League One side as they chase a play off spot, scoring 19 goals in 32 appearances for the Pilgrims this campaign.

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Described as a natural ‘number nine’ striker the former Swiss youth international has played most of his career in England, starting his career with Brighton, but failed to make the grade and was sent out for loan spells at Cambridge, Salford, and Dundee.

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Tolaj left the and joined national league side Aldershot Town, whom he enjoyed a productive spell scoring 19 goals in 44 appearances before moving to league two side Port Vale. After 15 goals and 41 appearances, the Swiss striker was on the move again this time to League One side and current club Plymouth Argyle.

Tolaj is untested at the highest level, but don’t let football snobbery get in the way due to his status as a League One player, as we’ve had some success in the past when it comes to recruiting players from the lower tiers of English football. Didn’t we sign Matt O’Riley from a League One outfit, MK Dons. How did that one work out?

And I seem to recall that Gary Hooper was signed by Neil Lennon from Scunthorpe United who just narrowly avoided relegation from the English Championship the previous campaign.

Gary Hooper of Celtic celebrates after scoring his first goal during the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on February 20, 2011. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Gary Hooper scored 82 goals in 138 games for Celtic

Gary caught the attention of Celtic after a prolific season in the championship, but before that had made his name in the lower reaches of English football, so he too was very much unproven at a higher level.

Gary went on to score an impressive 82 goals in 138 games for Celtic, and more than proved himself on the European stage as well. He had a huge mistake in wanting to leave Celtic to go back to England to pursue his dream of playing for his country.

Matt O’Riley, Scottish Cup Final, June 2023. Celtic v Inverness Caley Thistle. Photo Geo (The Celtic Star)

As mentioned earlier, Matt O’Riley was signed from league one side MK Dons, and went on to be a firm favourite in the eyes of the Celtic supporters before moving to Brighton in a £25 million deal.

Tolaj may operate in the third tier of English football, but don’t scoff at suggestions of a possible bid. It’s a scene we’ve recruited well from in the past, and one we should be continuing to explore for future talent.

The biggest problem with Celtic’s recruitment

The biggest problem with Celtic’s recruitment is that we have no proper structure in place and zero has been done about it by a Celtic Board more interested in banning supporters than running the club in a professional manner, while claiming to be world class in everything they do.