Bersant Celina admitted in the summer that he could have joined Leeds United on loan from Manchester City – but Ipswich got their man instead.
Ipswich Town fans have had to wait a while to see what all the fuss was about with Bersant Celina. The winger arrived amid big expectations on a loan deal from Manchester City, but only two of his nine Championship appearances so far have come from the start.
Celina, however, needed just five minutes to make a vital contribution in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Burton Albion.
The Kosovo international was brought off the bench by Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy with the scores tied at the Pirelli Stadium, and the game seemingly heading towards a draw. A sumptuous 25-yard free-kick later, however, and Ipswich were toasting another three point haul – and Celina was celebrating like a man possessed.
The former Norway youth international may not be a regular starter, but he has that all-too-rare ability to turn a game on its head with a moment of sheer inspiration and technical brilliance.
It’s an attribute Ipswich’s struggling Championship rivals Leeds United are crying out for at the moment. Friday’s 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United means Thomas Christiansen’s side have now lost four of their last five league games, with the optimism that followed an impressive start to the campaign well and truly punctuated.
And Leeds’ worrying run has perhaps been epitomised by a rather tootles attack that seems to be lacking in any sort of inspiration. If only they could call on a player with Celina’s magic with the clock ticking down.
Celina told Norwegian outfit NRK in July that Leeds were one of three Championship clubs, along with Ipswich and Bolton, that were eyeing him up in the summer. For the first time, Leeds may be ruining losing out in the race for his signature.
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