Celtic now plotting 2027 move for “standout” three-cap int’l with talks already held

Celtic are now plotting a move for Blackburn Rovers star Ryoya Morishita in 2027, after holding talks to sign him during the summer transfer window.

It was a busy summer transfer window for the Hoops, and Hogh was the statement signing, with the forward arriving from Bodo/Glimt for a club-record fee.

However, they were unable to get a deal for Morishita over the line, which is likely to be viewed as disappointing, given the level of the 29-year-old’s performances for Blackburn in the Championship last season.

The attacking midfielder picked up four goals and nine assists in 37 appearances for the Rovers, and he was singled out for high praise by podcaster George Elek after putting in an impressive performance in a 1-0 win at Watford.

Elek said: “He was the standout player, their new signing. He scored the all important goal in the game with a really well taken goal. That was a really lovely move. (Todd) Cantwell into (Yuki) Ohashi, Ohashi round the corner, slight deflection and Morishita finishing off really nicely.”

The three-cap Japan international has since made a flying start to the new Championship season, picking up one goal and one assist, while an average of 1.5 successful dribbles per 90 ranks him third in the Blackburn squad.

As such, it is unsurprising the Blackburn star remains in the Hoops’ sights as we edge closer towards the January transfer window.

Celtic plotting 2027 move for Ryoya Morishita

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

According to journalist Alan Nixon (via Celts Are Here), Celtic are plotting a move for Morishita in 2027, after making contact regarding a potential deal in the summer, at which point Reo Hatate was also being discussed regarding a move to Ewood Park.

Hatate ultimately completed a move to Burnley instead, with Blackburn’s rivals completing a late hijack to sign the fellow Japan international, who had been at Parkhead since 2021.

Despite the Hoops being unable to get a late deal for Morishita over the line, they remain keen on securing his signature, even though Martin O’Neill was happy with the business he managed to get done.

O’Neill said: “I’m delighted to get players. Genuinely pleased. The difficulty is that you only have to look at the UEFA list. Some young lads will be disappointed not being able to make that particular UEFA squad. So there’s only so many places that we could fill.

“If we can avoid serious injury to the players here, people not being out for endless lengths of time, then I’m happy with it.”