Why Celtic should secure the signature of Ivan Toney
According to Scottish Sun, Scottish champions Celtic are tracking Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney.
The League One side have placed a £15million price tag on Toney’s head after his impressive displays for them this season. He is currently the leading goal-scorer in the league with 24 goals from 32 appearances.
The 24-year-old has been an instant hit at the Weston Home stadium after arriving from Newcastle in the summer of 2018. To date, he has played 94 times for Peterborough and has a massive 49 goals and 15 assists to his name.
Toney’s prowess as a goal-scoring forward was clearly evident in his maiden campaign for Peterborough as he scored 16 goals from 44 league games. With the young finisher’s on-field displays improving with time, it is not a big surprise Celtic have shown an interest in him.
In fact, Celtic had earlier been linked with a move for the in-form striker back in January. However, no deal materialised with the player staying put at Peterborough. However, Toney’s swift rise as one of the best strikers in League One this season has put him once again on the radar of Scottish giants Celtic.
Signing Toney a safe option for Celtic
Neil Lennon’s side, meanwhile, are trying to tie down star striker Odsonne Edouard to a new deal after attracting interests from a host of clubs in Europe. The French finisher’s excellent form in front of goal has seen Celtic emerge champions for the 9th time in a row this season.
He has netted in 21 goals from 27 league games and losing a star striker like Edouard will hurt them badly next season. They also have veteran Leigh Griffiths, Patryk Klimala, Jonathan Afolabi, and Vakoun Issouf Bayo as a back-up. However, none of them has impressed manager Lennon are clearly not his preferred first-choice strikers.
Though Griffiths has managed 9 goals this season, he has shown signs of ageing and is clearly not the striker he once was. Winter signing Klimala, on the other hand, has made just two league appearances, meaning it is still early to judge his worth within the side.
Afolabi and Bayo, meanwhile, are way down the pecking order, with the former having returned recently to the side after a loan spell with Dunfermline Athletic. Considering all this, a move for the in-form Toney seems like a safe bet for Celtic.
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Verdict
Edouard’s uncertain future is a cause of concern for Celtic and it would wise of them to rope in the in-form Toney. Despite having as many as four back-up strikers in the side, manager Lennon has been entirely dependent on Edouard, giving a clear idea of his preferences. Also, Toney can give Edouard a run for his money next season if a move happens between both the parties.
