Celtic Should Go All Out for Christian Eriksen

If Christian Eriksen is genuinely available, Celtic should at least be picking up the phone and asking the question.

Eriksen has just left Wolfsburg by mutual consent after his contract was terminated. The 34-year-old made 34 appearances last season. 

And look at Celtic’s midfield right now.

We have lost Reo Hatate. We lost Arne Engels. Paulo Bernardo is away. In their place, we’ve brought in players with potential, but we’re asking the likes of Joel van den Berg, Oliver Sørensen and Mika Baur to develop into players who can immediately control European games.

That’s exactly where someone like Eriksen could change the equation.

I’m not saying sign him because of his name. I’m saying sign him because of what Celtic currently lack.

Experience. Game management. Creativity. Someone who can receive the ball under pressure and actually dictate the tempo. Someone who has played at the highest level in Europe and knows what it takes to manage a big game.

After what happened against LASK, and the subsequent performances against Ferencváros and at Castle Greyskull, Celtic desperately need more players who can take responsibility when games become chaotic.

Eriksen could potentially be that player.

There would obviously need to be a thorough medical assessment and a proper discussion about his playing time.

But if Celtic’s medical team are satisfied and Eriksen wants to continue playing, why wouldn’t we explore it?

And this is the important bit.

This wouldn’t need to be an either/or situation with our younger midfielders.

Let Van den Berg learn from him. Let Baur develop around him. Let Sørensen compete with him. Let McGregor have another experienced footballer beside him rather than expecting him to carry the midfield indefinitely.

Celtic don’t need another project right now.

We need a footballer.

A footballer who can walk into the dressing room with 151 Denmark caps, Premier League experience, Champions League experience and an enormous amount of knowledge of the game.

If Eriksen wants another challenge, Celtic should be asking the question.

Go all out for him.