KASPER HOGH is expected to seal Celtic’s record transfer purchase within the next 48 hours.
The Danish international has agreed a four-year deal with a 12-month option and his club, Bodo/Glimt, have accepted a fee of £11million-plus for the 25-year-old striker.
That will beat the previous highest of the £11million paid for Belgian midfielder Arne Engels from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg in August 2024.
Martin O’Neill believes the champions will get their money’s worth from their second recruit this summer, following the £5.5million arrival of Camilo Duran from Qarabag just over a fortnight ago.
SIGNS ARE GOOD…Martin O’Neill is preparing to welcome £11million-plus Danish dangerman Kasper Hogh to the champions. Image courtesy Celtic Player.
The Hoops gaffer watched his side draw 2-2 with AC Milan at Parkhead yesterday and said: “Without going too deeply into it, that’s the calibre of player we would be looking for.
“Players who have scored goals in the Champions League.
“It’s quality we’re looking for – and quality at the affordable prices is a real premium.
“We are searching and we still think that we need some extra players in.”
With the results of a medical for the 6ft-plus attack-leader not yet announced, a cautious O’Neill commented: “But if Hogh arrives, I think that’s great for us to begin with.
“And I’m hoping that we might get one or two more, if that’s the case. But there’s a good fight on now for places in the team. And we’ll just take it from there.
“I’m hoping that players coming into the football club who are of some sort of substance, I think that would be the exciting thing for fans.
“I’m hoping that’s the case.”
Scotland’s title kings are still in talks with SC Paderborn for midfielder Mika Bauer, rated in the £4.3million region by the newly-promoted Bundesliga team.
However, the veteran boss insists he is NOT overly-concerned about the length of time it is taking the club to get deals done.
PICK IT OUT…Camilo Duran pounces to put Celtic ahead against AC Milan.
O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “No, I’m genuinely not.
“I can remember the situation 25 years ago, so it’s not new to me in that sense.
“No, I’m not worried. I’ve got good faith in the people being able to get the players in.”
O’Neill also believes Hogh and Duran, who scored and then set up James Forrest for the second goal in the stalemate with the Serie A cracks yesterday, could form a potent double-act up front.
He added: “There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to do that.
“I really do like Duran, he’s a fine player.
“He wants to do well, has a really good attitude, and he can close people down.
“I’m not saying he’s reached Daizen Maeda standard yet, but he’s doing fine.”
The Celtic fans could get the opportunity to see Duran and Hogh in action when the champions face Dundee in the Premiership opener on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow a week tomorrow.
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