Former manager and Football Insider pundit Alex McLeish has been reacting to Celtic’s links to midfielder Aaron Mooy.
The Lowdown: Mooy links
Australian Ange Postecoglou officially took over as Celtic manager earlier this month, and it hasn’t taken long for players from his native country to be linked with a move to Parkhead.
The Hoops are reportedly keen on goalkeeper Mat Ryan, whereas Australian news outlet The World’s Game believes Celtic could make an approach for Mooy.
The midfielder, capable of playing in a defensive, central or attacking role, is currently with Shanghai SIPG in China after leaving Brighton last summer.
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The Latest: McLeish reacts
McLeish was talking to Football Insider and brought up the links to Mooy, describing the former Manchester City man as a ‘terrific’ player.
“I saw them linked with Aaron Mooy. Did he start at Man City?
“Then he went to Huddersfield and then Brighton. He’s a terrific player and the type of player Celtic should be going for.
“He’s got energy to burn. Any time I’ve seen the guy, he’s very difficult to dispossess on the ball.
“I’m not saying he’s a dribbler but when he gets the ball and just when you think you’re going to tackle him, he’s already given it to somebody else. One of his teammates gets it and normally it’s a good pass.
“He is a guy with great football nous.”
The Verdict: A huge pay cut would be required
If Celtic are indeed keen on Mooy and do make an approach, then the midfielder may need to take a big pay cut to return to Scotland.
The former St Mirren man agreed to a $180,000-a-week deal in China which is the equivalent of £130,000-a-week.
You’d expect that would need to be cut considerably if he wants to reunite with Postecoglou in Glasgow, with Celtic’s highest earner on the books now Callum McGregor on £20,000-a-week.
It looks set to be a busy summer for Postecoglou and the Hoops, but a deal for Mooy may not be realistic unless he takes a huge salary hit.
In other news: Hoops working on two deals amid McKay and Postecoglou’s Wembley meet up, find out more here.