Celtic’s ‘mysterious’ moves in Romania
Various Romanian media sources are reporting the interest with quotes from a Celtic scout to back up the story.
Celtic scouts are notoriously quiet about their work, especially during transfer windows, and rarely identify themselves at matches, preferring a low profile and merging into the background.
That absence of publicity seems to have created an opportunity for agents to link their players with Celtic with the stories giving credibility with claims that their asset is being watched by a mysterious and un-named Celtic scout.
Not only has Iancu been watched by Celtic but the mystery scout has been giving interviews detailing the clubs interest in the player!
According to Romanian website Prosport the mystery scout said: “Celtic currently has a list that is 10 names, including Gabriel Iancu and Dorin Rotariu, and their goal is a permanent transfer. Most likely two players on this list will be brought now to the end of the week further, that when the transfer period closes in Scotland.
“Yet Celtic’s priority at the moment is bringing a forward-marker, and after that will solve the problem will think of other players.”
Rotariu is apparently a target for Manchester United according to the enthusiastic reports from Bucharest.
The final sentence provides the get out should either ‘deal’ fall through with Celtic’s priority being to bring in a striker during what’s left of the transfer window.
As a kiss of death to a potential transfer nothing works better than quotes from players or an agent talking up an imminent move to Celtic, those that are in genuine negotiations with the club tend to keep their thoughts to themselves.
With Stefan Johansen signed from Stromsgodset the midfield department is well covered as is defence although the long term search for a back-up to Emilio Izaguirre remains unfulfilled.
With half a dozen young Celtic players out on loan at clubs from Morton to Lierse via Shrewsbury and Notts County it’s unlikely that the club will be signing in any new ‘projects’ during the current transfer window leaving Iancu and Rotariu to continue their careers in Bucharest with Dinamo.