Aaron Mooy can have a similar Celtic impact to the club's stars from Japan if he can handle the Glasgow goldfish bowl.
The Australian international has teamed up with his former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead, signing a two-year deal and was announced as part of a double swoop by the champions along with defender Moritz Jens. Mooy 31-year-old was a star for Huddersfield Town when they reached the English Premier League in 2017, but couldn't prevent them being relegated the following season.
Former Hoops midfielder Paul Lambert believes Mooy ’s existing relationship with Postecoglou can help him succeed. He pointed to the signings of Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi last season as an example. Postecoglou knew all three well from his time in charge of Yokohama F Marinos. And if Mooy can handle the pressure of playing for one of Glasgow’s big two, then Lambert can see him thriving at Celtic.
He told Sky Sports: “I think the squad definitely needed to get stronger because of the Champions League. That’s where they’ll want to make their mark this year. The Champions League is huge for the club. It’s Celtic’s opportunity to have a right good run at it Mooy was very good a few years ago I thought., when he was at Huddersfield, so they;e got a good one there if he can perform the way he did. Ange has done great with the Japanese players that have come in. He knew those lads as well and he certainly got a tune out of them; they’ve done great.
“I think Mooy will be the exact same. He’ll know the manager. One thing he’ll have to get used to is the Glasgow goldfish bowl as they call it, which is certainly the case. If he can get used to that and knuckle down with it, he’ll be fine.”
As for the Premiership title race, Lambert can see it going all the way. He’s been impressed with the business done on the other side of the city by Rangers, and highlighted one of his former players as one to watch out for.
“I think the two clubs will be strong this year,” he said. “ Rangers have bought decently as well. Tom Lawrence is going there after doing well. I had him at Blackburn; he was a good young player then and he’s gotten better and better.
The league will go right to the wire. It’ll be close. Whoever wins the Old Firm games, that will be crucial to them. It’s two teams who will go for each other. Celtic have the Champions League which is going to be great for the club, but it will go the distance.”
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