Charlie Nicholas has urged Celtic to pursue a deal for Arsenal defender Pablo Mari. The pundit and former Parkhead star reckons the Spanish centre-back is the perfect addition to bolster the Premiership champions' Champions League campaign.
Ange Postecoglou is set to lead his side into the group stage in September but Nicholas believes the team needs another left-sided defender. And he is adamant Mari, formerly of Manchester City, is the answer. Postecoglou has already recruited Moritz Jenz to further build on Cameron Carter-Vickers signing a permanent deal. Carl Starfelt is set to return from injury while Stephen Welsh has made an impressive start to the new term.
However, Nicholas is convinced Celtic can't take the next step in Europe without levelling up at the back. Mari has been heavily linked with an Arsenal exit this summer and Nicholas, a former Gunner himself, thinks he's attainable. He wrote in his Scottish Daily Express column: "I think Ange Postecoglou should go to the Arsenal to give his Celtic squad more defensive armoury - especially for the Champions League.
"I still feel the team still needs another left-sided central defender, especially if they want to make a real impression in the group stages of Europe’s top club competition. I know Ange has Carl Starfelt and brought in Moritz Jens for Lorient, who can play there, but I would prefer a natural left-sided player, somebody who is comfortable on the ball and good at playing out. I would like to see him go for a quality and experienced central defender, even if it is only on loan.
"The player I would try and get would be Pablo Mari at Arsenal. The Spaniard is experienced, is naturally left-sided, is a real presence and is a good, good player. The fact he is at Arsenal and had previously been at Manchester City shows the sort of quality Mari has
"I know he has had loan spells at both clubs but he was out at Udinese last season and that again shows the level he is at. I think Celtic ’s squad is stronger than last season but I don’t think they have taken a leap forward yet.
"Yes, I know it is early in the season and the new players are still bedding in but until Ange addresses the left-sided centre back then I don’t see Celtic taking that leap forward again. I think Starfelt and Jens will get Celtic by domestically but they need to raise the bar again, especially for the Champions League.
