Gyrano Kerk in action for FC Utrecht
According to Daily Record, former Celtic target Gyrano Kerk is in talks with various clubs as Utrecht consider cashing in on their star man.
24-year-old Kerk has been Utrecht’s best player in the last couple of seasons and is currently the side’s top goal-scorer and assist provider in the league with 10 goals and 8 assists to his name.
He has been in sensational form for the Eredivisie side, racking up 11 goals and 12 assists from 30 games before coronavirus halted the season.
Despite his young age, Kerk has played 135 matches for Utrecht, proving that he is nothing short of experience. A Utrecht academy graduate, the right-winger has also scored 33 goals and provided 36 assists in the process, giving a clear glimpse of his talent.
Meanwhile, Kerk’s sensational form saw him being the subject of a Celtic bid back in January. However, no deal materialised as Utrecht turned down the offer. With football having resumed now and Utrecht interested in offloading their star man, Celtic should once again revive their interest in their former target.
Manager Neil Lennon’s Celtic, on the other hand, enjoyed a successful league campaign in the recently concluded Scottish Premiership season. They continued their dominance in Scotland with a 9th consecutive league title and are looking to add another to make it 10 when the new season unfolds.
However, with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers closely trailing them, the side could do with some reinforcements to add more strength to their squad next season. Moreover, Celtic are also in need of an established right-winger in their midst, with midfielder James Forrest being the only other option.
The Scotsman, however, plays a little deep across the right flank and is not an outright winger. Apart from Forrest, Celtic just have Maryan Shved in that role but the 22-year-old winger is clearly not Lennon’s favourite, having made a single league appearance this season.
Celtic also have on-loan star Mohamed Elyounoussi from Southampton, who can play on the flanks, but he is a left-winger and is comfortable playing on that side.
Considering all this, it would be best for Celtic to reignite their interest in Kerk, who in recent years has been Utrecht’s star man. A proven customer, Kerk can offer Celtic what they lack at the moment and help them to stay at the top next season as well.
It is quite evident that Celtic have a dearth of established right-wingers in their squad and Kerk looks like a good option. His arrival will offer Lennon a boost on the right flank next season. A veteran of 106 Eredivisie matches, Kerk has been a consistent performer until now and looks like a good fit at Parkhead.