‘Impossible’; Director responds when asked if 17-goal star is joining Celtic

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Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have no chance of luring Ryan Mmaee to Parkhead during the summer transfer window, Ferencvaros’ sporting director Tamas Hajnal tells Hungarian publication Nemzeti Sport. 

In fact, Hajnal goes as far as to use the word ‘impossible’.

Mmaee, the sporting director points out, is still recovering from a serious knee injury that brought a premature end to an excellent 2021/22 campaign. What’s more, the Morocco international has a World Cup to prepare for. 

As such, a change of scenery will have to wait, as Mmaee focuses on getting back to fitness in time for that trip to Qatar. 

Are Celtic’s Ryan Mmaee hopes over already?

“No,” Hajnal says when quizzed about Celtic’s interest.

“He is currently recovering from his injury. We are waiting for him to help us when he is in a good condition. It is almost impossible for him to leave before the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.”

Belgium-born Mmaee, who has seven caps for the Moroccan national team, produced 17 goals and 11 assists for Ferencvaros last term. Blessed with explosive pace and emphatic finishing skills with both feet, the Daily Record say that Celtic have scouted the fleet-footed forward ‘extensively’ in recent months. 

Mmaee still has two years left on his contract, however. He joined Ferencvaros from AEL Limassol just 12 months ago. As such, the reigning Hungarian champions are under no pressure to cash in. 

Premiership holders Celtic have secured no less than five permanent transfers since stealing the crown off Rangers’ head. Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota have all agreed permanent deals, with Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei arriving from Dundee United and Lanus respectively. 

A ball-playing centre-half is the next task Ange Postecoglou’s summer to-do list. Celtic are hoping to move on from Christopher Jullien – despite his aborted switch to Bundesliga.2 champions Schalke – but have seen deals for Ko Itakura and Ahmed Touba slip through their fingers.