Recent reports have claimed that Celtic are eyeing a move for Ferencvaros midfielder, Aissa Laidouni, as manager Ange Postecoglou looks to strengthen his options in the centre of the park in the January transfer window.
According to Foot Mercato, the Old Firm giants are one of the clubs who are interested in signing the 26-year-old next month, with the Tunisia international set to be available for a fee of around £3.5m as a result of his expiring contract.
The one-time Angers man has only recently come to wider attention as a result of his standout displays for his country at the World Cup in Qatar, having enjoyed a “tremendous tournament”, in the words of journalist Sam Tighe.
The imposing gem notably recorded 2.3 clearances, 1.3 interceptions and one tackle per game from his three outings in the competition, while also registering an assist and averaging 1.3 key passes per game as a sign of ball-playing quality.
The 6-foot powerhouse was particularly impressive in the win over holders France in the final group game, having registered three key passes in that 1-0 triumph, while also recording two clearances and two interceptions.
That showing was ultimately lauded by the aforementioned Tighe, who stated: “He was absolutely everywhere. Clean feet, lung-busting runs, brilliant work rate, even grabbed an assist for Khazri’s goal. “
Laidouni also caught the eye as a result of another key moment earlier in the group stage, having produced a ferocious celebration after putting in a crunching challenge on Denmark’s Christian Eriksen in the early stages of that meeting.
The manner in which the France-born ace beat his chest and bellowed to the crowd was no doubt entertaining, but also showcased his dedication and commitment to the cause, having celebrated every challenge as if it was “a last minute winner”, according to pundit Danny Higginbotham.
From a Hoops perspective, such a character may well have evoked memories of a certain Scott Brown, with the now-retired Scotsman having been a truly fierce competitor in the centre of the park during his 14-year stay at Paradise.
The former Bhoys skipper – who left the club in 2021 to join fellow Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen – was notably at one stage dubbed the ‘hardest man in football’, as per GOAL, as a marker of his ruthlessness and fearsome reputation.
Not only a brutal midfield presence, the 37-year-old was also a reliable figure in the heart of the side for well over a decade, scoring 46 goals and providing 63 assists in 611 games for the Glasgow side in total.
While Postecoglou’s side have continued to thrive in Brown’s absence over the last year or so, there is potentially still a place in the side for a more no-nonsense and aggressive individual who can offer something of an alternative to the more attack-minded and creative figures such as Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate.
As such, turning to the aforementioned Laidouni could well be the more defensive-minded midfield destroyer that the Scottish champions are craving, with the 28-cap menace hoping to follow in the footsteps of club icon, Brown.
