Celtic could do with another defender – and Rangers’ summer signing Fabio Cardoso would’ve been welcomed with open arms at Parkhead.
Celtic’s lack of depth in central defence was oh-so nearly solved by the signing of South African international Rivaldo Coetzee last month.
However, the 20-year-old’s move from Ajax Cape Town was called off at the eleventh hour after he failed a medical. As such, Brendan Rodgers’ options remain stretched with Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata suffering from injuries at the start of the season.
Languid midfielder Nir Bitton filled in effectively but his lack of pace and positional nous was left ruthlessly exposed as Celtic’s defence collapsed in a 4-3 Champions League qualifier second-leg defeat to Astana. It remains to be seen whether Rodgers will trust the Israeli international in an unfamiliar role again versus a higher standard of opposition.
And Rodgers could be forgiven for glancing across at Ibrox with envy – which is something he won’t have done often since taking over at Parkhead last year. Because Rangers’ £1.3 million signing of Portuguese centre-half Fabio Cardoso from Vitoria Setubal (Daily Record) is already looking like a smart bit of business.
Fab Fabio
Cardoso has endured a few jitters in his first few weeks in the Scottish Premiership but that is to be expected when adapting to a new league. For the most part, the 23-year-old’s vast potential has been clear to see as he forms a burgeoning partnership with grizzled compatriot Bruno Alves.
And considering that Rodgers has spoken of his desire for Celtic to identify unpolished gems from the more untapped transfer markets, he may be disappointed that they did not seem to identify a player as talented as Cardoso.
At just £1.3 million, the former Benfica youth will only improve and should earn Rangers a rather handsome profit one day.
For one of the first times since they returned to the Scottish top flight last year, Rangers may have a player that Celtic wish was theirs.
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