NADIR CIFTCI could be on his way back to Celtic if Plymouth Argyle scrap his loan deal.
The Hoops’ £1.5million striker joined Derek Adams’ League One side on a season-long temporary transfer in the summer.
However, Ciftci has been firing blanks for rock-bottom Argyle and has failed to score a solitary goal in his six starts.
Under-pressure former Ross County boss Adams has now turned his attention to Welsh international free agent Simon Church in an effort to solve his side’s lack of goals.
The 28-year-old frontman, who had a short spell on loan at Aberdeen after joining from MK Dons on February 1, 2016, has been without a club since leaving Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC in July.
Adams is now assessing Church in training and could make a move.
Budget constraints at the relegation-threatened Home Park outfit are likely to see the arrival of the ex-Reading and Charlton forward as the final blow for Ciftci.
The Turk was axed for the trip to Wigan last month and his only game-time since has been in the 2-2 draw with Devon rivals Exeter City in the Checkatrade Trophy. Ironically, Ciftci scored his only goal for the club in their penalty-kick shoot-out win.
Ronny Deila signed him from Dundee United in July 2015. Remarkably the player was given a four-year contract!
The attacker didn’t score a goal in his four substitute appearances for Brendan Rodgers last season. However he did score the first ever goal for Brendan Rodgers with a powerful header in the first pre-season friendly in July 2016. This goal was scored in a 2-2 draw against NK Celje in Slovenia, is featured on the outstanding Invincibles DVD which is available on CQN Bookstore.com
Celtic were actually two goals down before Ciftci’s excellent header sparked a comeback which was completed by a late Tom Rogic equaliser.
Sadly for Ciftci that’s as good as it was to get for him under Brendan Rodgers who quickly realised that he wasn’t up to the required standard.
Ciftci has also had unsuccessful loan periods with Turkish side Eskisehirspor and Polish outfit Pogon Szczecin before being returned to Parkhead.
Should Plymouth send him back due to his poor form then you wonder just what the player needs to do to get his career back on track.
How did he manage to get a four year deal at Celtic?
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OUR SECOND CQN PODCAST this week, featuring interviews with ex-Celts Alan Stubbs and Chris Sutton, previewing the big games this week against Bayern Munich and Hibs at Hampden on Saturday.
Stubbs gives an insight into Liam Henderson as a player and talks about where his career should go from here.
BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton, who was speaking at the SPFL Betfred League Cup media day, spoke about Celtic’s European challenge in Munich and his former gaffer Gordon Strachan’s departure from Hampden Park.
Speaking on behalf of BT Sport, Alan Stubbs also spoke about his regret at leaving Hibs, and looks ahead to the League Cup semi-final between two of his former clubs.
BT Sport is where the best go head to head. Watch Bayern Munich v Celtic exclusively live in the UEFA Champions League on BT Sport ESPN from 7pm tonight & Hibs v Celtic exclusively live in the SPFL Betfred League Cup on BT Sport 1 from 11:15am on Saturday 21st October.
