RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIs Claudio Braga really a target? And if so, where does he fit in? Amusingly several Celtic supporters have joked that he’d be worth signing for his song!
Hearts star Claudio Braga is reportedly on Celtic’s radar, with several outlets claiming that he’s a target of the Hoops as they look to further bolster their attacking options.
Signed last summer for an undisclosed fee from Norwegian first division side Aalesunds FK, 26 year old Braga was arguably the best player in the Scottish top flight last season, as the Jambos came within a whisker of winning a historic first league title in nearly 70 years.
The Portuguese attacker has scored an impressive 17 goals in 46 games, and registered numerous assists for the Jambos, and although he’s suffered a lull in form recently, he’s clearly a quality player as Scottish premiership level at least.
It’s perhaps no surprise that Celtic have been credited with an interest in the player who’s enjoyed a remarkable rise these past 12 months, but they are not alone, with several English clubs, and many more further afield in Europe also credited with an interest in the 26 year old due to his stand-out performances for Hearts last season.
Braga has shown that he can score and create chances for others in the Scottish Premiership so it’s no surprise that he’s been linked with a move to Celtic. Perhaps Celtic’s name is being used, as it often is, to drum up interest elsewhere. It’s an old agents’ trick we are all familiar with.
So while we can take it with a pinch of salt, as is the case with most transfer rumours, it’s still worth asking ourselves where would Braga fit into this Celtic side?
Braga is what is best described as a ‘versatile’ striker, in that he can play anywhere across the front three.
If the much publicised deal for Haissem Hassan goes through, the Egyptian international will form an attacking partnership with both Camilo Duran, and Kasper Hogh.
With Yang, Sebastian Tounekti, James Forrest, and Callum Osmand, also vying for a spot up top, it would be hard to see where Braga would fit in, and with a reported £5 million price tag on his head, he wouldn’t be signing as a squad filler.
Jota of Celtic scores their team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and theRangers at Celtic Park Stadium on September 03, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Let’s not forget about Jota who’s also on the comeback trail, so it doesn’t make much sense in splashing out a significant amount on another attacker, unless someone is heading for the exit door.
Or it could well be that Martin O’Neill is planning a tactical change, maybe 4-4-2 or 3-5-2?
That would make room for Braga, as he excels in playing off the main striker, although he does adapt well to playing out on the left hand side of a three man forward line, as he did to great effect in the maroon of Hearts last season, so it’s possible that he could be on the club’s radar.
25th January 2026; Tynecastle: Scottish Premiership, Hearts versus Celtic; Claudio Braga of Hearts shoots and scores to make it 2-2 in the 87th minute. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s also possible that the Celtic coaches have identified Braga as a player they would like to see at the club, or he may even be a Martin O’Neill selection and he would have his own ideas on how to use Braga in his Celtic team in a formation we have not seen for a few decades. Martin did say he was looking at this did he not/
Personally, I’d like to see Braga at Celtic, but I don’t fully believe that he is high up on a list of Celtic targets. And the song would of course be an awesome addition to our songbook!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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