There is a familiar tension around Celtic as another summer window approaches, a sense that the club is once again standing at the edge of a rebuild that has been delayed for too long. The striker position, once the heartbeat of the team, has become a source of frustration, inconsistency, and tactical imbalance. Celtic have always been a club defined by their number nine, from Larsson to Dembele to Edouard to Kyogo, yet the last two seasons have exposed a clear truth. Celtic no longer have a forward who can be relied upon to score regularly, stretch defences, and give the team a focal point in the moments that matter.

Kyogo’s peak years were built on movement, instinct, and timing. He was not simply a goalscorer, he was a system. His runs created space for others, his anticipation unsettled defenders, and his finishing turned half chances into match winners. When he was at his best, Celtic played with a rhythm and sharpness that made them irresistible. When his form dipped, or when injuries disrupted his flow, Celtic’s entire attacking structure suffered.

The club have tried to compensate with makeshift solutions, tactical tweaks, and rotation, but the truth is unavoidable. Celtic need a new striker this summer, someone who can either complement Kyogo or eventually replace him. Someone who fits the demands of modern Celtic football. Someone who can thrive in tight domestic spaces and still offer a threat in Europe. Someone who can press, link play, and finish with conviction.

This blog is a blueprint for that search. It outlines what Celtic need in a modern striker, why the club keep getting this position wrong, and five realistic profiles that could reshape the attack. It also explores how the next manager’s style will influence the shortlist. Celtic cannot afford another misstep. The next number nine must be chosen with clarity, purpose, and ambition.

What Celtic Need in a Modern Striker

The demands placed on a Celtic striker are unique. Few clubs in Europe dominate possession as consistently in their domestic league while simultaneously facing far stronger opponents in continental competition. This dual reality means Celtic need a forward who can excel in two very different environments. In Scotland, the striker must operate in crowded penalty areas, anticipate rebounds, and finish quickly under pressure. In Europe, the striker must be able to press intelligently, hold the ball under duress, and exploit transitional moments.

Movement is the first essential trait. Celtic face low blocks almost every week, and the difference between a half chance and a goal often comes down to timing. Kyogo’s greatest strength was his ability to arrive in the right place at the right moment. Celtic need someone who can replicate that instinctive movement, someone who can manipulate defenders with subtle shifts and sharp bursts.

Pressing intensity is equally important. Celtic’s best football in recent years has come when the forward line has defended from the front. The striker must be willing to chase, harry, and disrupt. This is not optional. It is a core part of the club’s identity.

Link play is the next requirement. Celtic’s wingers rely on quick combinations, one touch layoffs, and clever rotations. The striker must be comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, must be able to bring others into play, and must have the awareness to release runners at the right moment. Too many Celtic attacks have broken down because the forward could not hold the ball or lacked the composure to make the right decision.

Finally, durability matters. Celtic play fifty to sixty matches per season across all competitions. The striker cannot be someone who breaks down repeatedly or needs long periods to regain rhythm. Availability is a skill, and Celtic have suffered too often from forwards who cannot stay fit.

These traits form the foundation of the ideal profile. Celtic do not need a superstar, they need a striker who fits the system, understands the demands, and can deliver consistently. The next section explains why the club have struggled to find that player

Why Celtic Keep Getting This Position Wrong

Celtic’s striker recruitment has lacked coherence for several seasons. The club have alternated between different types of forwards without committing to a clear identity. One window brings a poacher, the next brings a target man, the next brings a wide forward converted into a central role. This scattergun approach has created a squad that lacks balance and clarity.

Tactical mismatches have been a recurring issue. Some forwards have been signed for their physical presence, yet Celtic rarely play a style that prioritises aerial dominance. Others have been signed for their pace in behind, yet Celtic face deep defensive blocks where space is limited. A few have been signed for their technical ability, yet they lack the movement required to thrive in tight domestic games. The result is a series of players who are talented in isolation but ill suited to the specific demands of Celtic’s system.

There has also been an overreliance on projects. Celtic have gambled on potential rather than proven output, hoping to develop raw forwards into polished finishers. While this approach can yield success, it cannot be the only strategy. A club with Celtic’s expectations needs at least one striker who is ready to contribute immediately, someone who does not require a year of adaptation or a complete tactical overhaul.

Injuries have compounded the problem. Celtic have repeatedly been forced to reshuffle the front line due to fitness issues, disrupting rhythm and confidence. A striker who plays twenty matches per season cannot be the foundation of a title challenge.

Finally, the club have failed to replace Kyogo’s unique skillset. His movement and anticipation were the engine of Celtic’s attack, and no one else in the squad replicates those qualities. Without that sharpness, Celtic’s play becomes predictable, slow, and easier to defend.

The solution is not simply to sign a goalscorer. It is to sign a striker who fits the system, complements the squad, and aligns with the club’s long term vision. The next section outlines five realistic profiles that could achieve that.

Five Realistic Striker Profiles Celtic Should Target

The following profiles are not specific names, but archetypes. Each represents a type of striker Celtic could realistically recruit, develop, and build around. The goal is to provide a blueprint that can be adapted to different markets and managerial styles.

Profile One: the Kyogo style poacher with elite movement
This is the closest match to what Celtic have lacked since Kyogo’s peak. A forward who thrives on timing, acceleration, and instinctive finishing. Someone who can arrive in the six yard box at the perfect moment, who can turn half chances into goals, and who can unsettle defenders with constant movement. This profile is ideal for breaking down low blocks and restoring the sharp, darting runs that once defined Celtic’s attack. The concern is physicality, as smaller forwards can struggle in Scotland, but the upside is enormous.

Profile Two: the all round forward who links play and creates space
This striker is less about explosive movement and more about intelligence. Someone who can drop deep, combine with wingers, and help Celtic build attacks through quick passing and clever positioning. This profile suits a possession dominant system and would elevate the performances of wide players who rely on combination play. The trade off is that this type of striker may not score twenty goals per season, but they can transform the fluidity of the attack.

Profile Three: the athletic high ceiling prospect from a development league
This is the type of signing Celtic have historically excelled with. A younger forward with pace, power, and strong underlying numbers. Someone who can be developed into a star while contributing immediately through physical attributes and pressing intensity. This profile fits the club’s buy develop sell model and adds athleticism that Celtic often lack in Europe. The risk is rawness, but the potential reward is significant.

Profile Four: the penalty box target man who offers aerial threat
Celtic have lacked a genuine aerial presence for years. This profile provides that missing dimension. A physically dominant striker who can win duels, attack crosses, and give Celtic a plan B against deep defensive blocks. This type of forward can change matches late on and force opponents to defend differently. The concern is mobility, as this profile may not suit a high pressing system, but the tactical variety they offer is valuable.

Profile Five: the versatile forward who can play across the front line
This is the modern hybrid attacker. Someone who can play centrally or wide, who can dribble, create, and adapt to different tactical shapes. This profile is particularly useful in Europe, where Celtic must adjust their approach depending on the opponent. It also provides cover for injuries across the front three. The downside is that this type of player may not be a pure number nine, but their flexibility can be crucial across a long season.

These profiles give Celtic a menu of options. The ideal solution may be a combination of two, creating depth and variety. The next section explains how the managerial appointment will shape that decision.

How the Next Manager’s Style Shapes the Shortlist

The identity of Celtic’s next manager will determine which striker profile becomes the priority. A high pressing coach will want mobility, intensity, and relentless movement. A possession dominant coach will want technical security, link play, and intelligence. A pragmatic coach will want physical presence, hold up play, and aerial threat.

If Celtic choose a manager who values tempo and aggression, the Kyogo style poacher or the athletic prospect becomes the primary target. These profiles thrive in systems built on quick transitions, pressing triggers, and constant movement. They can stretch defences, force mistakes, and create chaos.

If Celtic choose a manager who prioritises control and structure, the all round forward or the versatile hybrid becomes the ideal fit. These profiles help maintain possession, connect the midfield and attack, and create patterns that break down organised defences.

If Celtic choose a manager who values defensive solidity and direct play, the target man becomes the logical choice. This profile provides an outlet under pressure, wins fouls, and offers a threat from crosses and set pieces.

Regardless of the managerial style, Celtic should sign two strikers, not one. Depth has been a recurring issue, and relying on a single forward is a recipe for inconsistency. A blend of profiles creates tactical flexibility, protects against injuries, and ensures that Celtic can adapt to different opponents.

The striker position is the hinge on which the next era will turn. Celtic cannot afford another season of improvisation. They need clarity, ambition, and a forward who can define the team’s identity.

Conclusion

Celtic’s search for the next striker is not simply a recruitment exercise. It is a statement of intent. The club have drifted in recent seasons, losing the sharpness and identity that once made them so dangerous. The striker position has become a symbol of that drift, a reminder of what Celtic were and what they must become again.

The next number nine must be chosen with purpose. Celtic need a forward who fits the system, elevates the squad, and restores the cutting edge that has been missing. Whether that player is a poacher, a creator, an athlete, a target man, or a hybrid, the decision must be made with clarity and conviction.

Celtic do not just need another striker. They need the next focal point, the next heartbeat of the attack, the next player who can turn dominance into goals and frustration into belief. The summer window is their chance to find him.