Why Celtic should beat Ipswich Town to sign Rudy Gestede in January
According to a report from the Telegraph, Ipswich Town are targeting a loan move for Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede in January.
Rudy Gestede, 30, has been a bit-part player for Tony Pulis this season and is set to be transfer listed in the winter transfer window.
The Benin international has struggled to get going under Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis, making just one Championship start as he finds himself behind the likes of Britt Assombalonga and Jordan Hugill in the pecking order. In fact, the 30-year-old’s last start came in November in a 1-1 draw with Preston.
With Rudy Gestede out of favour under Pulis, Celtic must look to beat Ipswich for his signature in the New Year.
Celtic went top of the Scottish Premiership table after beating Dundee 3-0 at the weekend. They have gathered some momentum of late and are playing like actual champions. But the Hoops should spend in January to bolster their chances of retaining the title.
Brendan Rodgers should prioritise strengthening the attack in the upcoming winter transfer window after failing to invest heavily in the summer. Moussa Dembele’s deadline day switch to Lyon left all Celtic fans shocked and also gave Rodgers absolutely no chance to get in a replacement.
Dembele’s void has been royally felt this season as the Hoops haven’t been as clinical in front of the goal as they were last season.
With Leigh Griffiths being granted leave to undergo rehabilitation, Rodgers has been left with only Odsonne Edouard as an option up front. Michael Johnston has made the most of his chances given to him by Rodgers in the last two games, scoring three goals in the process. However, Johnston is raw and cannot be relied upon as Edouard’s backup for the remainder of the season.
That said, Celtic signing Rudy Gestede would make complete sense. Standing tall at 6ft 4in, Gestede is a powerful striker known for his strength and hold-up play. He is excellent in the air and can outmuscle defenders in the box and score goals.
The Benin international’s ability to lose his marker with subtle movements and beat his defensive counterparts to the aerial balls makes him a potent threat in the final third. Gestede may not have the pace to stretch the play or run past his opponents in a blink of an eye but he makes it up with his work-rate and positional awareness.
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The 30-year-old has flopped with both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, but he proved at Blackburn Rovers previously that he is a natural goalscorer. Furthermore, Gestede would provide some much-needed change of flavour to Celtic’s attack with his towering frame and aerial ability. On a loan deal, it could be a masterstroke by Brendan Rodgers.