Celtic need a defender this summer – and Mike van der Hoorn fits the bill.
Celtic will see centre backs Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic leave the club this summer, and the Bhoys won’t get any money in for either of them.
Boyata’s contract expires this summer whilst Benkovic will return to Leicester City after his loan move, and Celtic will need to bring in at least one centre back to bolster the back line.
Intriguingly, not only could Neil Lennon return as permanent manager, but the Express (15 March, page 61) claimed that ex-scout John Park could also come back to Parkhead as recruitment chief in place of Lee Congerton.
Park was at the club alongside Lennon, and he may well be the man charged with the task of finding a centre back – but an old target should be back on the radar.
Park recently told the Daily Record that, when Celtic signed Virgil van Dijk in 2013, the Bhoys also considered a move for fellow Dutchman Mike van der Hoorn, who was with Utrecht at the time.
Of course, Celtic made the right choice signing now-Liverpool hero Van Dijk. Now though, Celtic should be looking to return for Van der Hoorn, and a move wouldn’t entirely be a surprise if Park does return, having wanted him previously.
Van der Hoorn has flourished with Swansea, playing out from the back under Graham Potter, whilst still being a dominant centre half at 6ft 3in tall, possessing great strength and aerial ability.
The Dutchman, who is still only 26, is out of contract this summer and available for free, making him the ideal replacement for Boyata come the end of the season – and if Park returns, don’t be shocked if Celtic make their bargain move for Van der Hoorn.
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