‘Terrific to watch’, ‘couldn’t get near him’: Celtic-linked striker previously hailed by Scottish duo

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic have been heavily linked with a move for Steven Fletcher, with recent reports suggesting different levels of interest.

The Daily Record reported on Wednesday night that the Hoops had offered the 33-year-old a one-year contract, though the player was said to be holding out for a longer deal.

The Scottish Sun, meanwhile, claimed on Thursday morning that no contract talks have taken place between Celtic and Fletcher, but that Neil Lennon is a fan and is considering a swoop.

Fletcher is a free agent after leaving English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and is believed to be targeting a return north of the border following a successful decade in England.

The Scotland international made the breakthrough at Hibernian and went on to score 52 goals in 189 games for the capital club before moving down south and playing for the likes of Burnley, Sunderland, Wolves and Sheff Wed.

Fletcher has earned plenty of plaudits, with former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan previously describing him as “terrific to watch” after his hat-trick against Gibraltar in 2015, the first for the nation since Colin Stein in 1969.

“He is elegant, clever and he brings people into play,” Strachan told The Scotsman at the time. “You can trust him when the ball goes up to him, so we can then get other players up beside him. All his game is needing is a goal.”

Meanwhile, Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna told the Scottish Sun after the 4-0 Nations League win over Albania in November 2018: “Saturday was the first time I have played alongside him.

“To go and show that quality after not being in the international squad for a wee while was brilliant. His link-up play was superb, bringing boys into the game and helping us get up the park.”

Recalling a training camp a few years prior, McKenna added: “I was trying to get to Stevie but I couldn’t get near him.”

TBR View:

With Rangers having bolstered their attacking ranks with two strikers earlier this week, Celtic must now step up their search to provide support for Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala.

Fletcher may be 33 but he’s still firing on all cylinders, with a decent tally of 13 goals and two assists from 27 English Championship games last season for a side which largely lacked cutting edge up front besides him.

He could certainly do a job for Celtic and, while he may not be assured a starting place, he would still play a role in what could turn out to be a historic season for the Parkhead side.