Celtic Identify This Dutch Defender As One Of Their Summer Targets: Why Rodgers Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a report from The Daily Record is believed to be true, Celtic have shortlisted Justin de Haas among their central defensive targets. The Famalicão centre-back, who has impressed the Hoops’ scouts, would cost around £3m amid interest from various European outfits.

The 25-year-old former Netherlands youth international progressed through the academy ranks of KFC and AZ Alkmaar and also featured for the latter’s reserves. Although he completed a Bosman move to PSV in the summer of 2019, the Boeren loaned him out to Dinamo Zagreb for regular gametime. There, he also represented their youth team, as it took a while for him to secure a senior status following a free transfer to fellow Croatian side Lokomotiva Zagreb in the summer of 2021.

De Haas’s resolute defending caught the attention of the Portuguese outfit, who secured his services a couple of years ago. Soon, he made his presence known in the Primeira Liga, particularly last season, with 30 appearances across competitions.

Why Celtic Are Chasing The Dutchman

The left-footed centre-half has shown his no-nonsense attributes with timely clearances, tackles and interceptions. While he needs to work on his passing and ball-playing traits, de Haas’s aerial and physical supremacy, composure, and concentration should see him flourish under Brendan Rodgers.

VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTONIO, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 8: Elias Abouchabaka of Germany challenges Justin De Haas of Netherlands during the UEFA Under16 match between U16 Germany v U16 Netherlands on February 8, 2016, in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal. (Photo by Filipe Farinha/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Celtic have ample central defensive options in their ranks, but they could lose a few in the coming days, as they are surplus to requirements at Parkhead. Maik Nawrocki has joined Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga on a season-long loan, and Gustaf Lagerbielke is set to sign for Braga permanently. Outcast Stephen Welsh could be loaned out again, having spent the second half of the previous campaign at KV Mechelen.

This leaves them with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty as the only available centre-backs. Rodgers has promoted academy graduate Dane Murray, but the Northern Irish boss is looking for cover by bringing in a new name. Hayato Inamura has been roped in from Albirex Niigata. However, the Japanese youngster is not part of the immediate plans, as revealed by the gaffer in a recent interview.

Told Rodgers when asked (as quoted by the BBC) if Inamura would go straight into the first team.

De Haas took a while to gain recognition, but a move to Celtic should be a massive career step, even if he settles for a fourth-choice status in the heart of the backline for the time being. Rodgers would hand him opportunities to impress, given their fixture congestion, but it remains to be seen whether the Celts step up the chase or shift their focus to other targets in due time.