Why Celtic signing Aaron Mooy could be a transfer masterstroke

It is the Celtic transfer rumour that just did not go away. Last week, we had thought that Ange Postecoglou had indicated that Aaron Mooy was likely to be headed elsewhere. This week it appears as though the Australian international might be on his way to Parkhead soon. And he might be the perfect signing for the club this summer.

Mooy has enjoyed a solid career so far, having spent time at Manchester City, Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion. That English Premier League experience led to a move to Chinese club, Shanghai Port, in 2020. Right now though, the midfielder is a free agent.

He has been a regular for his national team for years now. And Postecoglou would know him very well already, from his time as the manager of the Australian national team. In fact, it was under his management that Mooy became a regular part of the Socceroos’ set up.

Their time together with the Australian national team will have given Postecoglou a deep insight into Mooy as a player and he would have surely been following his career since then.

Signing Mooy could prove to be a transfer masterstroke for Celtic

A lot of eyebrows have been raised at the idea of Celtic signing Mooy on a free transfer. He is set to turn 32 years of age soon and many fans are unsure whether he would even be a regular starter. But at the same time, signing him could be a brilliant move on the part of the club for a variety of reasons.

Mooy has the ability to play both defensively and as an attacker in the middle of the park. He definitely suits Postecoglou’s style of play with his box to box approach.

We may even see Mooy emerge as the vital cover player for Callum McGregor, a role which the Hoops haven’t filled for years. And with Ismaila Soro, Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic all having moved out, there are gaps in the midfield that someone of his experience can definitely fill.

He featured in both of Australia’s World Cup qualifier and play off ties in June, and was a particular standout. Also with the World Cup coming up, Mooy would be expected to be extra motivated.

We know players can take time to settle into new surroundings but that’s unlikely to be an issue for Mooy, who has already played for St Mirren in the past.

Many are comparing a move for him to James McCarthy from last summer but Mooy does not have nearly the injury history that the former Everton man has.