Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that he wants the club to bring in new signings in the attacking positions before the end of the window.
The Hoops head coach, who was speaking after the 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, says that there is nothing imminent on that front as it stands, though.
Adam Idah has started both league games this season and failed to score from 0.82 xG and only created 0.06 xA for his teammates in the games against St Mirren and the Dons.
Why Celtic need to drop Adam Idah
The Ireland international has had a huge opportunity to impress as the starting number nine due to the lack of business done by Celtic in the forward areas.
Idah only scored 13 goals from 13.57 xG in the Premiership in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he was not particularly ruthless in front of goal in his first full year at the club.
His failure to provide a goal, from 0.82 xG, or an assist in the opening two games does not suggest that he has vastly improved as a finisher over the summer, which is why Rodgers should be dropping him down to the bench to play as an impact substitute.
Instead of dipping into the market to sign a new striker to replace Idah, though, the Hoops could sign reported £6m-rated target Clement Bischoff instead, to free Daizen Maeda up to play through the middle.
Why Celtic should sign Clement Bischoff
The 19-year-old starlet is a right-footed left winger who could provide a direct and creative threat down the left flank, which is something that the Hoops do not have aside from Maeda due to Jota’s ACL injury.
Bischoff was described as an “explosive” and “flamboyant” talent by U23 scout Antonio Mango, and it is easy to see why when you look at his incredible start to the 2025/26 campaign.
|
Clement Bischoff |
2025/26 season (all competitions) |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7 |
|
Shots on target |
4 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Key passes |
24 |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Successful dribbles |
11 |
As you can see in the table above, the Danish youngster, who has been playing as a left-sided forward, has already created five ‘big chances’, and 24 chances overall, in seven appearances for Brondby.
This suggests that the teenage starlet, who created 51 chances in 39 games last season as a wing-back, is an incredibly creative winger who can consistently create high-quality opportunities for his teammates.
His presence on the left flank would then free Maeda up to take Idah’s place as the number nine, which could be an effective switch given his form last season. The Japan international scored a staggering 14 goals in 11 starts as a striker for Celtic last term, compared to 16 in 36 outings on the wing.
This suggests that the Japanese marksman has the potential to be a lethal number nine option, given his unbelievable haul of goals in that position last season, which is why Idah should be dropped from the team to facilitate this switch.
Bischoff coming in would provide Rodgers with a quality left wing option to free up Maeda to show off his goalscoring prowess in the centre-forward position, in turn leaving Idah to play the role of super sub for the time being.
This is why the Brondby youngster could be an ideal signing to improve the attack, both because of his own creative quality and what it could mean for the number nine role.
