Neil McGuinness was Celtic’s first team scout with responsibility for European and domestic players for nearly six years. He is the man credited with discovering Virgil Van Dijk and Stefan Johansen.
Herald Sport gave him a budget of £15m to sign five players who would fit Brendan Rodgers’ system at Parkhead and would, ultimately, help Celtic qualify for the Champions League . . .
Read more: Brendan Rodgers doesn't need to spend big to bring in good players
Nicolai Jorgensen - 25 - Striker – Copenhagen
Jorgensen is a tall and strong striker who can provide an aerial threat but also has very quick feet. He provides a target man option and can play with his back to goal or facing players up in one-on-ones.
He could play comfortably as part of a front three, front twoalong with a smaller penalty box finisher or even on his own as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1.
He has a good goals-to-game ratio for Copenhagen and numerous caps for the Denmark national team. Development wise, he has outgrown the league and could be available for around 3 Million pounds.
Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi - 19 - Defensive midfielder - Genk
Ndidi is a very powerful holding midfielder who has great positional awareness and timing. He is someone who provides a safety mechanism for teams who like to attack, always patrolling around the centre circle and looking to break up opposition play.
He has had a great season in Belgium and will have plenty admirers but a potential bid in the region of £4 million may make Genk consider
Bartosz Kapustka - 19 - Cracovia - Attacking Midfielder / Right Winger
Kapustka is a very versatile and interesting player who can operate in the number 10 role, deeper in midfield and also off either wing, but for me he is most dangerous in behind the striker.
He is a very creative player who can see play develop and knows when to pass the ball and when to retain possession. Currently at the Euros with Poland but may not be a regular starter this time round. A bid in excess of £2.5 million could make Cracovia interested.
Nikola Vukcevic - 24 - Defensive midfielder - Braga
Another holding midfielder, but one who has a very quick turn of pace and can drive out into more advanced positions. Technically very good on the ball, with a strong range of passing and skilful in tight situations.
Vukcevic is the type of player that fans enjoy watching due to his forward passing style and vision. Value wise, he would be in the £2.5-3.5 million bracket.
Giovanni Sio - 27 - Striker – Rennes
Celtic fans might remember Sio from the Europa League matches against Sion back in 2011. He has since moved on and now plays for Rennes in Ligue 1, but he has more than enough ability to be a regular goalscoring threat in the SPFL.
His movement is very sharp, always finding yards of space to get himself into dangerous positions. A tidy finisher and someone who draws a lot of fouls in threatening areas, he should command a fee of around £3 million.
Neil McGuinness is a former Celtic scout. He now works for the Qatari FA identifying players for the national team ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
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