Celtic are planning to sign a “unique” star

Celtic ran out comfortable winners once again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday as they secured a 4-0 win over St Johnstone in their final game of the year.

The Hoops will now go into 2025 top of the division, 14 points clear of second-placed Rangers, and on course to seal a fourth consecutive title.

Brendan Rodgers‘ also face the Gers in their first game of the New Year on Thursday at Ibrox, meaning they have the chance to go 17 points clear of their Glasgow rivals.

The Northern Ireland head coach has enjoyed plenty of success since his return to Parkhead ahead of the 2023/24 season, winning the Premiership title, the SFA Cup and the League Cup so far.

His side are also on course to qualify for the play-off stages of the Champions League, with one defeat in six games so far, ahead of the final two games of the league stage.

Despite all the team’s successes, Rodgers is still looking to improve his squad when the January transfer window opens later this week.

Celtic plans to negotiate with the Premier League ace

According to Football Insider, Celtic are planning talks with Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney to secure a pre-contract for the Scottish defender.

The report claims that Rodgers are ‘working’ on trying to bring the Scotland international back to Parkhead on a free transfer at the end of the season, as his current contract with the Gunners expires next summer.

With his contract expiring, Celtic can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the left-footed star when the January transfer window opens for business, which would then officially link him to Rodgers and his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The outlet add that Tierney is interested in returning to Glasgow for another spell with the Hoops and would be willing to reject offers from other clubs in Europe to make the move, with Football Insider revealing that there are several other sides in the mix for a move. his signature.

It is also claimed that Arsenal would be willing to let him go on loan for the second half of the season, ahead of a free transfer in the summer, meaning the Bhoys could secure a pre-contract deal in January while also getting him on a short-term loan.

Tierney could come in as an excellent addition to the squad in the winter window, if they sign him on loan first, and a fantastic partner for another potential signing next month – Sondrea Orjasaeter.

Why should Celtic sign Sondre Orjasaeter?

Celtic are reportedly interested add another left winger to the group ahead of the second half of the season and connect with an interest in Sarpsborg striker Sondre Orjasaeterwho could step in as competition in attacking areas for Rodgers.

He is a 21-year-old striker who usually plays on the left flank and looks to cut inside onto his right foot to provide quality in the final third, both as a scorer and goal creator for his side.

The Norway U21 international is particularly impressive in creating high-quality chances for his team-mates when he enters the pitch with his preferred foot, as shown by his impressive form for Sarpsborg in the Eliteserien during the 2024 campaign.

As you can see in the table above, Orjasaeter could be a big upgrade on Daizen Maeda from a creative perspective, as he averages more assists, ‘big chances’ created and dribbles per game.

Now Celtic could rebuild their left-back in January by signing the Norwegian starlet and bringing in Tierney to play behind him at left-back.

The Scottish full-back has the attacking potential to be the perfect full-back for the 21-year-old winger, and they could be devastating in the final third.

Why Kieran Tierney is perfect for Sondre Orjasaeter

Orjasaeter, as explained earlier, likes to cut inside onto his right foot from the left wing to cause problems upfield, making him the perfect winger for an overlapping full-back.

The Norwegian maestro coming upfield can pull the opposition right-back inside and create space for Tierney to bomb and make crosses on the left flank, giving the opposition defense a host of problems to solve at once.

During his first spell with the Hoops, the Scotland international hit the ground running 37 assists in 170 match in all competitions for the club, which is an average of one every 3.14. While Greg Taylor assisted 30 in 196 games for Celtic, suggesting that Tierney could offer more creativity from the left-back position.

That means the Arsenal outcast could be the perfect addition to Orjasaeter, if the Hoops can get them both, to provide that overlapping threat that would combine well with the winger’s propensity to get inside.

As you can see in the table above, Tierney also showed his solid defensive work while on loan with Real Sociedad in La Liga during the 2023/24 season.

An experienced ace, who was once known as “unique” talent Rodgers, he has the physical qualities to win the majority of his duels and make more defensive interventions per game to keep Celtic’s defense strong.

However, his first spell in Glasgow suggests the defender also has the quality in possession to be a difference maker in the final third with his assists at left-back, making him a great addition and the perfect reinforcement alongside Orjasaeter next month.