Why Celtic must plot a summer swoop for Peterborough’s Ivan Toney
Back in January, Daily Record had claimed that Celtic had scouted Peterborough United forward Ivan Toney. However, the Hoops didn’t make a move in the January transfer window and he stayed put at the League One club.
Ivan Toney, 23, has starred for Peterborough this season, netting 26 goals and registering five assists so far. The striker’s form has given Posh a chance of promotion though, which Darren Ferguson’s side desperately crave for. Posh currently sit sixth in the League One table but are only three points away from the automatic spots.
Considering the season Toney has had in League One, Celtic must secure his services ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
The Hoops are 13 points clear at the top of the league and are on course for a ninth league title. They are chasing a fourth domestic treble in a row, having already won the League Cup, and they have the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen scheduled for 11th April. Rangers were firmly in the title race but due to a string of poor displays and results, they have dropped out of it.
Neil Lennon has a really good squad of young talents and experienced players at his disposal. But there are a couple of areas Lennon must address during the summer transfer window. One of those is the forward department, despite the Hoops signing striker Patryk Klimala in a £3.5m deal from Polish club Jagiellonia Białystok in January.
Odsonne Edouard has enjoyed a fantastic season with the Scottish champions, scoring 22 goals in 27 league games. The 22-year-old French striker has also scored three goals and provided two assists in six Europa League games, and scored twice in five Champions League qualifiers.
He has been attracting a lot of attention now, with a number of Premier League clubs interested in the Frenchman. (h/t The Daily Mail) If Edouard leaves Parkhead, Lennon must replace his star with Ivan Toney.
Toney has been a revelation since leaving Newcastle United for Peterborough United in the summer of 2018. The 5ft 10in striker scored 23 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions in his debut campaign with Posh. He has already bettered last season’s tally and is currently one of the in-form strikers in League One.
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Verdict
At the age of 23, Toney looks like a player in the right age bracket who could possibly be a long-term investment for Celtic. He might have struggled to establish himself at Newcastle in his earlier days but he certainly deserves a crack in the Scottish Premiership. All in all, the Northampton-born star could be a potential replacement for Edouard at Celtic.
If Toney can replicate his performances for Peterborough at Celtic, he would be an exciting signing.
