Brendan Rodgers’ track record demonstrates why Celtic should have faith in Odin Thiago Holm, despite his lack of appearances.
Odin Thiago Holm disappeared from the Celtic scene. However, with Brendan Rodgers in charge, there are 13 million reasons why the Norwegian boy may still become a valued Parkhead asset.
With the summer transfer window being open, the Parkhead manager is looking to enhance his squad. Last summer, Holm and Marco Tillo were Celtic’s only confirmed signings. Seven more incomers would be added in the weeks leading up to the window’s closure, along with the retention of Tomoki Iwata. The majority saw a lack of consistency throughout the campaign.
Despite a large investment, few were able to make a meaningful contribution, and fans remarked that when Rodgers’ starting team was chosen for the Scottish Cup Final against Rangers in the pursuit of a Double last season, none of the 2023 summer acquisitions were in the lineup.
Finally, Paulo Bernardo, the last of those who arrived last summer along with Luis Palma, came on as a substitute and had a huge effect. Defender Maik Nawrocki was out with an injury, while Gustaf Lagerbielke was almost gone in January, despite keeping a clean sheet against Rangers at Ibrox and scoring a winner against Feyenoord in the Champions League.
Nat Phillips arrived and departed, Tillo returned to Australia, South Korean Hyunjun Yang struggled to make an impact, and compatriot Hyeokkyu Kwon went on loan to St Mirren. With Matt O’Riley attracting interest from the English Premier League as well as European clubs, and a deal to bring Bernardo back from Benfica still pending, midfield is an important area for Rodgers to strengthen.
To that extent, Holm’s predicament is intriguing. Being the first signing of last summer on a five-year contract piqued his interest the moment the ÂŁ2.6 million agreement with Valerenga was reached.
During his first month of competitive play, he impressed in sub cameos against Aberdeen and Rangers at tough venues like Pittodrie and Ibrox. However, the red card he received just 10 minutes into his Champions League debut against Feyenoord set him back.
Holm, who had only started in the Viaplay Cup loss to Kilmarnock, had to wait until November for another opportunity and did not take advantage of it when he faced Aberdeen at home. A fortnight later, against Motherwell, the same story. He lasted only 45 minutes.
By the time he scored against Buckie Thistle after the turn of the year, the writing was on the wall for his campaign and he got just 15 minutes as a sub against St Johnstone in the final four months of the campaign as his team-mates charged to glory. Clearly, Holm didn’t do enough. But, whilst Rodgers is searching for new recruits, he has an impressive past when it comes to altering the course of fledgling Celtic careers.
Ryan Christie, is of course, a famous example. He started the manager’s first game as boss against Lincoln Red Imps, but, having toiled for game-time, was loaned to Aberdeen. The playmaker’s time at the Dons readied him for a glorious return. He came back to score League Cup Final winners for Rodgers and win medals before making a move south to Bournemouth.
And, if Holm needs a more recognisable comparison, an ideal example comes in the figure of his countryman Kristoffer Ajer. Signed by Ronny Deila as a midfielder, the boss was gone by the time he arrived properly from IK Start.
He, like Christie, battled the Red Imps. Rodgers, like Christie, saw an opportunity in a loan transaction, and Ajer headed to Kilmarnock. Rugby Park provided an excellent foundation; he learnt a new position as a centre-back and returned to Celtic with fresh skills, ambition, and hope.
At the time, he stated: “At Celtic, even though I was not playing much, that wasn’t unusual because we have a big squad and there are many who don’t play “But I learned so much. I’ll do everything I can to make it at Celtic.”