Sydney van Hooijdonk in Celtic transfer head scratcher after Bologna exit 'block' only leads to 'deputy' mission

Sydney van Hooijdonk was claimed to have had a road to Celtic shut- but it won't be with regular Serie A minutes in mind.

The Dutchman - son of Hoops favourite Pierre - was linked with the Premiership champions during the summer window. And on deadline day, it was suggested that Brendan Rodgers' team, plus Crystal Palace, Brentford and Wolfsburg were all keen on his services, only to be 'blocked' from making any advances by current club Bologna.

He joined I Rossoblu in 2021 but spent last season out on loan at Eredivisie club Heerenveen, where he netted an impressive 19 times back in his homeland. But in the opening two Serie A matches, van Hooijdonk has played just three minutes with Joshua Zirkzee the preferred option going forward. And Cor Sport claim that boss Thiago Motta wanted to bring in another striker, but "it was decided not to act and not to take just for the sake of taking."

That left the Dutchman in a state of flux but now he has a mission at Bologna. But it might not be one that is entirely satisfying, as it's claimed: "It will be Sydney's turn, who scored double figures in Holland last year, to act as Zirkzee's deputy."

Rodgers currently has Kyogo and Oh as recognised options through the middle. But just one injury will leave the other with a heavy workload amid Champions League football, with a move for Brondby's Mathias Kvistgaarden also not coming off.

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