Celtic We are currently on track to enjoy an exceptional season in all competitions Brendan RodgersSecond season at the club since his return in the summer of 2023.
The Northern Irishman won the AFC Cup and Scottish Premier League title in its first year, but was eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages and failed to win the League Cup.
Celtic have already lifted the League Cup this season, beating Rangers on penalties last month, and are in a position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with their final two matches in the league stage.
This means that the Hoops have the opportunity to enjoy more success this time around than last season, if they can maintain their current form in all competitions.
Rodgers has helped with the club's summer work ahead of this term, with the likes of Arne Ingles, Auston Trusty and Luke McEwan joining, among others.
However, he is a January recruit from last year's transfer window who has stepped up to be the Scottish giants' star player in the 2024/25 season so far.
Nicolas Kone's level this season
Rodgers swooped to sign Nicholas Kuhn from Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna in January 2024 on a permanent deal and had the first five months or so to settle into life in Glasgow.
The German striker contributed Two goals and two assists in 14 league appearances during the second half of that season, showing that the winger had not hit the ground running as a consistent star for the Hoops.
However, after that initial adjustment period and pre-season, Cohen has been outstanding for Celtic in all competitions in the 2024/25 season, with his ability as a goalscorer and assists making him a crucial player for Rodgers.
The 24-year-old wizard has made an amazing return 16 goals and 11 assists In 27 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, meaning he has averaged a goal or an assist per game.
He has been particularly impressive in the Premier League, Recorded twice In the recent 3-0 win over St Mirren, he was a constant threat in the final third for the league leaders.
|
24/25 Premier League |
Nicholas Kuhn |
|---|---|
|
It starts |
14 |
|
Objectives |
9 |
|
It created great opportunities |
8 |
|
Key passes for each match |
2.1 |
|
Helps |
6 |
As you can see in the table above, Cone produced more goals and created more 'big chances' combined than he managed in the league for Celtic, which indicates just how good the winger was at the top of the pitch.
The left-footed star has now drawn up a blueprint for how to make a successful January signing when bringing in a young player from abroad, as he needed a few months to adapt before he could find success this season.
Rodgers could sign the next Kone by swooping to sign one of Celtic's current transfer targets in a move similar to the one that brought the German to Parkhead last year.
Celtic interest in winger wizard
last month, Norwegian sports outlet Nettavisen I mentioned that Celtic is one of the teams Interested in pouncing for Sarpsborg striker Sondre Orjasaeter in the January transfer window.
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The Hoops are keen to secure a deal to sign the Norway Under-21 international to bolster their options on the left flank, although there has been no mention of how much the Norwegian side want for his services.
Orgasiter is Worth 5 million pounds sterling By Transfermarkt This may provide an insight into the type of fee that might be required to secure his signature before the second half of the season.
Rodgers is said to be keen Bringing in a new left winger to compete with Daisen Maeda for a place in the starting lineup, the Sarpsborg striker fits the bill as a right-footed striker who plays mostly on the left side of the attack.
Celtic can now repeat the impressive form they had for Kone last year by signing another young winger from abroad in the January transfer window.
Why Celtic should sign Sondre Orjasaeter
Like the German magician, Orjasaeter is a young talent who has the potential to grow and develop over the coming years, having only turned 21 in November.
This means expectations can be low initially, as was the case when Cone failed to produce consistent performances straight away, and the winger can use the second half of this season to settle in and adapt to life in Scotland before moving on next season. .
The Sarpsborg star plays as a right-footed left winger, which also means he could play on the opposite flank to the current Celtic star and Rodgers could have two mercurial talents on either flank, if the club can retain Kone in the summer.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described the young man as “Interesting” player. And his form at Eliteserien supports this, as he was in great form for a player of his age.
|
Elite Series 24/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
|
Objectives |
5 |
|
Great opportunities were missed |
5 |
|
Helps |
5 |
|
It created great opportunities |
12 |
|
Dodgers completed in every match |
2.4 |
|
Statistics via Sofascore |
|
As you can see in the table above, Orjasaeter has contributed ten goals and one assist in 28 league appearances this season, showing that he is capable of providing quality as both a goalscorer and creator.
The £5million star should have more assists to his name, but his team-mates have let him down at times with missed finishing touches, scoring five goals from 12 'big chances'.
These stats suggest that the foundation is there to develop Orjasaeter into the next version of Kuhn for Celtic, as he has the ability to score and create goals but needs to find more consistency in his end product in the final third.
That's why Rodgers must put pressure on the board to secure a deal for the promising young talent before the end of the January transfer window.
