Celtic might have made a very smart move this January by bringing in Tomoki Iwata from Yokohama F. Marinos. The hope would be that the reigning J League MVP is able to fulfil an area of need in the current squad, that is defensive midfield. Since the departure of Nir Bitton at the end of last season, the club have not had a reliable option there.
Of course, it had looked like Celtic had brought in Oliver Abildgaard to fill in that role, late in the summer transfer window. After some initial confusion, it emerged that it was a season-long loan deal for the Rubin Kazan player.
Things have not quite gone to plan for Abildgaard in Glasgow though, with the Danish midfielder yet to make a single start for the Hoops. And rumours are already linking him with a move away from the club, half-a-season before his loan deal is expected to run out.
As reported by B.T. (via 67 Hail Hail), Abildgaard is attracting transfer interest from countries such as Germany, Italy, Turkey and the United States. Several Danish clubs are also believed to be interested in the midfielder, although he might not be looking to return to Denmark at this stage of his career.
Celtic player could leave just four months after joining
Abildgaard came in with high expectations, with many even believing that Celtic had pulled off a major coup by signing him from Rubin Kazan.
It is safe to say that the midfielder is yet to deliver on those expectations and has failed to establish himself in Glasgow.
Thus, it would not come as a major surprise if his loan deal is cut short, especially with the club signing Iwata recently. Let’s just hope that the Japanese versatile star has a much better stint in Glasgow.