Why Justin de Haas is exactly the kind of player Brendan Rodgers is seeking

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The Celtic Star

·8 Juli 2025

Why Justin de Haas is exactly the kind of player Brendan Rodgers is seeking

When Stephen McGowan formerly of Daily Mail and now of The Herald speaks, Celtic supporters tend to listen. As one of the few journalists with a proven track record for accurate, club-specific reporting, McGowan’s revelation that Celtic are considering a £3m move for Dutch defender Justin de Haas has naturally stirred interest amongst the Celtic fanbase.

Justin De Haas seen during Liga Portugal game between teams of Sporting CP and FC Famalicao at Estadio JoseAlvalade (Maciej Rogowski) Lisbon Estadio Jose Alvalade Portugal. Photo IMAGO

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The 25-year-old currently plies his trade in Portugal’s Primeira Liga with Famalicão, and on paper, a move for a left-footed central defender with a strong development pedigree – having come through AZ Alkmaar and PSV’s systems – seems logical.

But while clips of de Haas don’t immediately shout ‘Celtic calibre,’ there’s more than meets the eye—and the stats might just tell a different story.

At first glance, de Haas doesn’t appear to be a ball-dominant defender. He’s not particularly aggressive in the tackle nor flashy in his style. But delve deeper into his defensive metrics, and a clearer picture emerges.

According to FBref, de Haas averages, 1.58 tackles and 1.41 interceptions per 90, not standout, but consistent. Clearances come in at 3.39 per 90, showing a no-nonsense approach when needed. Meanwhile, Blocks are at 1.06 per 90, a solid figure for a centre-back not often pinned back in his own box.

April 25, 2025, Famalicao, Guimaraes, Portugal: JUSTIN DE HAAS from FC Famalicao seen celebrating his goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic 2024/25 match between FC Famalicao and SC Braga at EstoÂdio Municipal de FamalicoÂo on April 25, 2025 in Famalicao, Portugal.Final score: FC Famalicao 1 – 1 SC Braga Famalicao Portugal.Photo Miguel Lemos

What’s interesting is that his numbers don’t show recklessness—he rarely dives in unnecessarily, maintaining positional discipline. That’s something Brendan Rodgers values highly, especially when paired with an aggressive front-footed defender.

Where de Haas starts to look more like a Rodgers player is with the ball at his feet. His passing accuracy of 85.9% as per FotMob, rises to over 90% on shorter, build-up passes. He completes 3.71 progressive passes per 90, placing him among the higher percentile of centre-backs in Portugal and 2.16 passes into the final third per 90 – showing he’s comfortable stepping out and picking out runners.

In essence, he fits the mould of a modern, left-footed ball-playing centre-back, with a measured and composed style under pressure.

He’s not one to ping 60-yard diagonals à la Virgil van Dijk, but his short- and mid-range distribution is reliable, and more importantly, safe under pressure, which is critical in European competition where Celtic often face a high press.

Admittedly, de Haas doesn’t leap off the screen when watching clips. He’s not particularly quick over the ground, and he can look a little stiff when turned. He’s 6’1” but doesn’t dominate aerially in the same way as Carl Starfelt did in his time at the club.

However, his positional sense seems sharp from the stats, and he seems to read the game better than his physical traits might suggest. In some ways, he’s the kind of player whose game improves the more you watch him as opposed to someone who wins you over with YouTube highlight reels.

Here’s where it gets interesting. De Haas may not be the guaranteed starter some fans might expect, but as a left-sided option who can slot into a back four or play as the left centre-back in a back three, he gives Celtic something they currently lack – a composed, ball-playing defender who can break lines from deep.

Justin De Haas seen during Liga Portugal game between teams of Sporting CP and FC Famalicao at Estadio JoseAlvalade (Maciej Rogowski) Lisbon Estadio Jose Alvalade Portugal. Photo IMAGO

His statistical profile doesn’t proclaim ‘Champions League ready,’ but his development curve suggests there’s more to come. At 25, he’s approaching his prime, and under the coaching of Rodgers and John Kennedy, de Haas could be a smart, system-friendly signing—not a headline act, but a piece of a broader tactical puzzle.

And if the deal structure includes performance-related add-ons rather than a flat fee, it could represent good business for a player with resale potential and experience in a competitive European league.

Justin de Haas is probably best described as quietly capable, statistically solid, and stylistically suitable for a Rodgers system. He might not be the blockbuster centre-back Celtic fans were dreaming of—but in modern football, sometimes it’s the understated ones that do the job best.

Niall J

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