{"id":260624,"date":"2026-09-01T13:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/10-years-on-celtic-look-to-be-closing-in-on-signing-the-next-dembele\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T13:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:35:11","slug":"10-years-on-celtic-look-to-be-closing-in-on-signing-the-next-dembele","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/10-years-on-celtic-look-to-be-closing-in-on-signing-the-next-dembele\/","title":{"rendered":"10 years on: Celtic look to be closing in on signing the next Dembele"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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Thursday’s deadline is looming, and Celtic<\/a> still have plenty left to do, with the recent trip to Austria exposing the threadbare nature of Martin O’Neill<\/a>‘s squad as things stand.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So many wilted physically in that crushing defeat, with marquee signing, Kasper Hogh, among those to subsequently miss the weekend win over Falkirk.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Russell Cheyne<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Camilo Duran, shuffled into a central role, did more than fill that void, it must be said, although Hogh’s absence did highlight just how light the Scottish champions are in that number nine berth.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why signing a new striker is still essential for Celtic<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The situation surrounding the striking department was almost laughable last season, with the Parkhead hierarchy opting to sell Adam Idah late in the day, having already allowed Kyogo Furuhashi to depart six months earlier.<\/p>\n

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\n \"adam-idah-celtic-record\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Brendan Rodgers was left scrambling to sign free agent, Kelechi Iheanacho, after the deadline, with the club gambling on left-field moves for Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand prior to that.<\/p>\n

Yamada, alongside Johnny Kenny, was swiftly shipped off on loan in January, while Osmand missed almost the entirety of the campaign, albeit returning to make the difference on the final day.<\/p>\n

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\n \"celtic-johnny-kenny-oneill\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The youngster again appears to have suffered a setback following the win on Saturday, with the only other option in reserve that of Kenny, a player who spent the end of last season at Bolton Wanderers.<\/p>\n

With O’Neill and co having unsurprisingly opted against permanent moves for either Junior Adamu or Tomas Cvancara, while also failing to agree terms with Iheanacho regarding an extension, there is a stark lack of depth and quality behind the aforementioned Hogh.<\/p>\n

Osmand, unfortunately, just can’t be relied upon, while it feels as if Kenny’s chance has already come and gone, having been so profligate in the early stages of last term.<\/p>\n

Duran, as Saturday showcased, is more than capable of stepping up to the plate, yet with a long old season ahead, another incoming would certainly prove useful.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Celtic ready to sign the modern-day Moussa Dembele<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The last decade has been littered with centre-forward success stories in Glasgow, be it Kyogo Furuhashi, Odsonne Edouard or Moussa Dembele, the latter having joined a decade ago from Fulham.<\/p>\n

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\n \"celtic-moussa-dembele-transfer\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Merely 19 at the time, the Frenchman proved an instant hit under Rodgers and co, announcing himself to the Hoops faithful with that<\/em> derby hat-trick in September 2016.<\/p>\n

In the present day, O’Neill might be hoping for something similar from Chelsea starlet, Shim Mheuka, the 18-year-old seemingly closing in on a move to Parkhead.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Celtic – Scoring Frequency (Premiership)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Mins per goal<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Osmand<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Iheanacho<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

99<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nygren<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

159<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Kenny<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

172<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Maeda<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

203<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ox<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

213<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Yang<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

260<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Cvancara<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

265<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Engels<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

402<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Tierney<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

419<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Indeed, as per Sky Sports, a move for the teenager appears to be heading in the right direction, with the young striker having a medical in London today.<\/p>\n

The expectation is that he will sign on a season-long loan deal, having only recently signed a bumper new deal at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2033.<\/p>\n

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\n \"shim-mheuka-chelsea-astana-conference-league\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps that suggests this will be nothing more than a one-season, although even so, there’s reason to suggest the arrival of Mheuka could prove far more fruitful than recent Premier League loan moves – looking at you, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Benjamin Arthur.<\/p>\n

Mheuka is still only 18, although he’s certainly highly regarded in west London, as that contract extension points to, previously hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as the “future of Chelsea and English football<\/a>“.<\/p>\n

The Birmingham-born sensation, who is eligible to feature for Zimbabwe at international level, has already made nine first-team appearances for the Blues, albeit with his best work coming in the youth ranks.<\/p>\n

In just 49 games for Chelsea’s U21 side, he’s already scored 25 goals, while previously hitting 16 in 27 games for the U18s, following his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Shumaira\u00a0Mheuka\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As for last season, he scored 17 in 17 Premier League 2 games, enjoying such a rich vein of form that will hopefully be translated to first–team level in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

He’s another mobile, dynamic young number nine, in the mould of Dembele, someone who’s been prolific at every age group, including his record of 16 goals in just 23 appearances for England’s U19 side.<\/p>\n

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\"Celtic-Martin'O'Neill\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Russell Cheyne<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Yes, his minimal senior experience for Chelsea is a concern, yet it would be worth putting faith in him right from the off, as Rodgers did with another teen arrival from west London in the form of Dembele.<\/p>\n

Mheuka, even at 18, is such a natural, clinical forward – Celtic could be onto a winner here again, as they were a decade ago.<\/p>\n