Celtic need to boost their striker options in January and Rudy Gestede is reportedly available for a move.
If Celtic strengthen anywhere in January, it has to be up front. With Leigh Griffiths unavailable for the time-being, Odsonne Edouard is Brendan Rodgers’ only option right now, and the Frenchman is not enjoying the best form.
It is not going to be an easy month for Rodgers to get the players in that he may want. But perhaps one option he should seriously consider is Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede as reports suggest that he will be available next month.
The Telegraph reported this week that Boro are ready to let £6 million signing Gestede leave in January, and it appears that he may be available on loan.
Gestede has not enjoyed the best spells with Middlesbrough or Aston Villa, but he proved at Blackburn Rovers previously that he is a goalscorer when used correctly, as he scored 33 goals in 66 league games for the club.
Considering that he will cost practically nothing if he arrives on loan, he could be a very useful signing for Celtic – especially if he is not the only striker that Rodgers manages to bring in.
His height and stature would obviously be advantageous when the likes of James Forrest and Kieran Tierney get to the line and cross the ball into the box, but he would also be able to link up with those players if they cut inside and look to make runs beyond him.
His composure in front of goal has also been underrated at times – he scored twice in the one appearance he made against Rodgers’ Liverpool in the Premier League in 2015 – so he could potentially prove to be a very good addition if he is available on loan and Celtic decided to make their move.
Gestede would provide some versatility, and that may prove to be particularly useful as Celtic look to battle on several fronts in the second-half of the season.
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