Why Celtic should go all out to sign Niclas Eliasson this summer
According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are weighing up a move for Bristol City wing-back Niclas Eliasson to bolster their left-sided options before the transfer deadline.
Hoops boss Neil Lennon is anxious to bring in a replacement for Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, who was loaned out to Istanbul Basaksehir earlier in the transfer window. Charlton Athletic starlet Alfie Doughty has been touted as a top target for Celtic but the Scottish champions are now exploring other avenues after having two bids turned down by the Addicks. (h/t Scottish Sun)
As per the report, Celtic have been recently linked with Danish left-back Casper Hojer but it is understood that Eliasson has been on the club’s radar since January.
Profile
Niclas Eliasson started his career with Falkenberg in the Swedish second-tier before rising to prominence with AIK in the top-flight. However, it was at Norrkoping that he established himself as one of the best wingers in the Swedish Allsvenskan, registering 8 goals and 18 assists in 41 appearances.
The former Sweden U-21 international had a rather quiet debut season in the EFL Championship following his move to Bristol City in the summer of 2017. Eliasson, though, featured more prominently in the following campaign before establishing himself as one of the best creative wingers in the English second-tier last term.
The 24-year-old registered 3 goals and as many as 12 assists in 37 league appearances for the Robins last season, with only 18 of them coming as starts. Eliasson has accumulated 7 goals and 21 assists in 95 appearances for Bristol City in all competitions.
Eliasson would add more quality to Celtic’s ranks
Grey Taylor has established himself as an undisputed starter at Parkhead following the departure of Bolingoli-Mbombo, starting 7 out of Celtic’s 8 fixtures in the Scottish Premiership so far. Operating as a left wing-back in Lennon’s back-three system, the Scottish international has done a really good job at both ends of the pitch, registering 3 assists in the league.
However, Celtic currently lack any specialist cover for Taylor in that department and a potential injury to the 22-year-old would leave Lennon in a massive fix. Jonny Hayes played as a wing-back to good effect last season but the veteran is no longer a part of the squad.
Niclas Eliasson, to that end, could be a handy addition to the ranks at Parkhead. The Swede might not be an out-and-out defender by trade. But he has proven himself capable of operating as a left wing-back at Bristol City.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old boasts an excellent track record of goals and assists in his professional career, thus potentially making him a more attacking alternative to Taylor in the wing-back role. Eliasson is also capable of operating as a left-winger further up the pitch, meaning that he could offer Lennon with quality cover in more than one department.
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Verdict
Niclas Eliasson seems like a more experienced and attacking alternative to Charlton’s Alfie Doughty while his proven track record south of the border means that Celtic shouldn’t hesitate to take a punt on him.
The Swede still has his best years ahead of him at 24 and with less than a year left on his contract at Aston Gate, the Hoops should definitely fancy their chances of nabbing him in a cut-price deal this summer.
