Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will no doubt have been keeping a close eye on the displays of compatriot Aaron Mooy at the World Cup, with the playmaker having been in impressive form during Australia’s opening two group games.
The 32-year-old – who arrived at Parkhead in the summer – had been “immense” in the latest win over Tunisia, according to journalist Josh Bunting, having produced a tenacious performance in the centre of the park to help keep the Socceroos’ hopes of progression alive.
The midfielder’s international colleague Harry Souttar may well have been another to have caught Postecoglou’s attention as a result of his colossal form at the heart of the defence, with the towering centre-back having previously been tipped for a move to Glasgow.
Hoops journalist Anthony Haggerty notably suggested in the summer of 2021 that the 6 foot 6 ace could well be a target for the Old Firm outfit, with the club insider stating:
“Harry Souttar would be a person of interest, especially since they know him from his time with Dundee United. He’s gone down south and flourished. If I’m doing my scouting right, Harry Souttar’s on the list. We need defenders and you can scout Europe, Far East Asian markets and Australian markets, but you have to know what’s under your nose.
“I think Harry Souttar could be a fit for Celtic.”
As it proved, the Bhoys chose not to heed that recommendation as no move came to fruition, with that potentially something of a chance missed such has been the Aberdeen-born star’s displays on the world stage in recent times.
Despite having missed much of the past year or so due to an ACL injury – ensuring that the 24-year-old has featured just once in the Championship for current side Stoke City this season – the former Dundee United man has shown no ill-effect of that lack of action, having looked a real rock-solid presence in his side’s opening two games in Qatar.
The most recent win over Tunisia saw the imposing defender particularly impress, having been like “superman”, in the words of pundit Danny Murphy, after helping to keep the opposition at bay, having been an “absolute beast” at the back, according to journalist Sacha Pisani.
The one-time Fleetwood Town loanee – whose brother John plays for Rangers – notably won five of his six total duels on the day, while recording six clearances and three blocked shots in what was a relentless bid to keep a clean sheet.
Dubbed a ‘granite colossus’ and like ‘prime Franco Baresi’ by The Guardian’s Jonathan Howcroft, Souttar was a true standout presence for his side, with that evidenced by his 7.7 match rating, as per SofaScore – the joint-second highest among his teammates.
While Celtic seemingly have few regrets at present amid their rampant surge towards retaining their league title, it still may have been a potential blunder not to have moved for the Stoke ace.
