Kasper Høgh Has Celtic Dreaming Again… Now Finish The Job

There’s something different about Kasper Høgh.

Not just because he’s become Celtic’s record signing. Not because of the transfer fee. Not even because of the goals he’s scored.

It’s the vibe he brings with him having watched his introductory interview that has me buzzing.

For the first time in what feels like a long time, Celtic supporters have been given permission to let their imaginations run wild again.

That has been glaringly lacking for so long.

Us fans have became part time accountants instead of avid viewers watching the ups and downs of our favourite soap opera – Celtic.

Football is built on hopes and dreams, and Høgh has arrived carrying plenty of that.

From the moment pictures and videos of him started circulating, there was an unmistakable presence about him.

He looks confident. Assured.

A player who understands the expectation that comes with pulling on the Celtic shirt and embraces it rather than shrinking away from it.

There’s a charisma to Høgh that has grabbed my attention before he’s even kicked a ball. That’s rare, and it perhaps explains why the excitement surrounding his arrival feels different to previous signings.

Every transfer window is supposed to bring optimism, but very few players genuinely get supporters off their feet.

Høgh has managed exactly that. Even the most sceptical fan must be pinching themselves we have got this one over the line.

I should know, I am one of them!

That’s exactly what exciting signings should do.

The conversations have changed. Instead of debating whether Celtic are actually going to strengthen, fans are discussing what this team could actually become.

Of course, one player doesn’t complete a squad, we still need major work.

If Celtic are serious about building on the momentum created by Høgh’s arrival, attention now has to turn towards other areas of Martin O’Neill’s squad.

Defence is certainly one area needed looked at.

Reports suggesting Celtic have had a £6.3 million bid rejected for Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur!

I was pretty stunned at that and not just because of the fee involved but because it points towards the club recognising there is still work to do.

I’ll admit the reported fee surprised me slightly, largely because we simply haven’t seen enough of him at senior level to know exactly what Celtic would be getting.

Even more surprising is Brentford’s apparent rebuffal of such a substantial offer.

That alone suggests they believe there’s a player with genuine potential on their hands.

I’d trust their judgement.

From Celtic’s perspective, though, I completely understand why they’re looking at that profile.

I don’t think Dane Murray being the club’s fourth-choice centre-back is a realistic long-term solution.

He just isn’t gonna be good enough.

When you look at Cameron Carter-Vickers’ recent injury record, having reliable cover on the right-hand side of central defence becomes even more important.

Benjamin Arthur also fits another important criterion.

Age.

Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales represent the established options, but Celtic should always be looking ahead.

Signing a younger defender who can learn, develop and eventually challenge for a starting place makes complete sense to me.

Whether Arthur is that player remains to be seen.

Høgh has reminded everyone what genuine excitement feels like.

Now Celtic have to build on it.

We have every right to enjoy the optimism surrounding the club’s record signing, but we also have to keep the heat on the numpties upstairs.

One statement signing gets people talking.

Building a complete squad wins trophies and evolves on the European stage.

Right now we aren’t building, we are replacing what we have lost.

But with far more quality than anyone expected, to be fair.

Now it’s over to Celtic to ensure Kasper is just the beginning rather than the headline act of the entire summer.

Keep Your Eyes On The Board.