Celtic need to sign a new midfielder in the transfer window as they still lack a consistent goalscorer in that position.
No Hoops striker has scored more than four goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, and their struggles in that regard may be their recruitment strategy.
As they search for the top flight, Celtic continue to sign players who did not score goals regularly at their last club. Tomas Cvancara arrived in January after one goal in 11 Super Lig games. Kelechi Iheanacho joined last summer after scoring four goals in 26 games last season.
Shin Yamada signed for the Scottish giants last summer after two goals in 21 J1 League appearances in 2025, and he failed to score a single goal for Celtic before being sent back on loan in January.
The club should therefore look to sign players who are in form in front of goal and ready to hit the ground running, which would be Claudio Braga.
Why Celtic want to sign Claudio Braga
At the beginning of the month it was reported that the Hoops are planning to sign the Portuguese striker from Hearts when the summer transfer window opens.
Although he is the second striker in the back nine, it is easy to understand why Celtic want to bring him to Parkhead because he has been in good form in the Premiership this season.
The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals from 11.18 xG in 29 league games for the Jam Tarts, showing that he can score consistently and effectively in Scotland’s top flight.
However, the Hearts sensation has played a supporting role behind the often fit Lawrence Shankland, and that may not be the role he is given at Celtic.
Which is why, despite the proven Premiership star looking like a logical signing on paper, the Hoops should look elsewhere for their next Henrik Larsson.
Every incoming Celtic striker will be compared to Larsson because he is gold at number 9 at Parkhead. The Swedish striker’s return of 241 goals in 315 games may not be repeated the way modern football is going.
Celtic could do better, by attempting to sign Tawanda Maswanhise from Motherwell as Braga’s replacement in the summer transfer window.
The Hoops were linked with an interest in the Zimbabwean, who cost £5m, in January and should make a move for him later this year.
Maswanhise has been more effective than Braga in the Premiership and Celtic appear to be closer to their next move than Larsson, who has scored 16 goals in the league this season.
As a renowned Swedish artist, the Motherwell striker has it all in his wardrobe; he is quick, strong, his first touch is bright, he can dribble, he can assist, and his finishing is excellent.
The former Leicester City academy player has scored 16 goals at 11.64 xG, four more than Braga, and provided two more assists.
|
Top scorers in the 25/26 Premiership |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Goals |
|
Tawanda Maswanhise |
16 |
|
Benjamin Nygren |
15 |
|
Claudio Braga |
12 |
|
Lawrence Shankland |
11 |
|
Youssef Chermiti |
9 |
Maswanhise, who writer Kai Watson described as “fiery”, is not afraid to be caught by the side of the game, which is needed at number nine in the Premiership, and has won 43% of the games played worldwide.
Braga, on the other hand, has won 35% of his ground contests and lacks the raw physical attributes, as he is neither as strong nor as fast as Motherwell feels.
The £5m mid-rounder is a standout and has proven that regularly in the Premiership, despite playing for one of the top three sides in the division.
This indicates that he is ready to raise his level to play for Celtic, as he has surpassed all their players in the league this season, which is why he could be the next Larsson, as a striker who is able to score goals consistently in the team.
After years of signing underperforming strikers and watching them continue to underperform at Parkhead, they have signed an in-form player who can come in and hit the ground running and see the Hoops finally find their next Larsson.
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