Middlesbrough may cut their losses on one-time Ajax wonderkid Viktor Fischer – but Celtic could offer him an opportunity to live up to expectations.
Viktor Fischer looked destined to be Ajax’s next superstar
Five years ago, the International Business Times reported that Ajax were bracing themselves for monstrous bids from both Manchester United and Real Madrid for a thrilling, 18-year-old talent by the name of Viktor Fischer.
Fast forward to the present day and the Northern Echo report that the Dane may be on his way out of Middlesbrough after just one season, and six starts, in England. With all due respect to the North East club, Fischer was expected to be playing Champions League football at the age of 22 – not contemplating life in the Championship.
Fortunately, the report adds that Celtic could offer one of Europe’s forgotten talents another opportunity to kick-start a stalling career. Manager Brendan Rodgers is a known admirer of the two-time Eredivisie champion and his penchant for polishing rough diamonds may give Fischer hope that all is not lost.
Worth the risk?
However, for all Fischer’s talents, a relentless series of injuries mean Celtic would be taking a huge risk bringing him to Parkhead – even if he did return after a year on the sidelines with some quite thrilling performances for Ajax in 2015/16.
After all, the last fleet-footed former Ajax winger to ply his trade at Celtic acts as something of a cautionary tale.
Derk Boerrigter may not have had the world in his hands like the immensely gifted Fischer but injuries wrecked his hopes of reviving his career after moving from the Dutch giants in 2013.
Derk Boerrigter in a rare appearance for Celtic
Making just 16 league appearances, scoring one, Boerrigter was released last summer. Aged just 30, he is yet to find a new club.
Nonetheless, every case is different. And although Fischer may have been nothing more than a bit-part player at Boro, he still has the potential to be one of the continent’s most exciting attackers.
Rodgers could be the man to fulfil that fearsome potential – provided his body does not let him down again.
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