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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Who is Mohanad Jeahze? Celtic left back target who never stops running set for £2m transfer

Celtic are on the brink of landing Hammarby left-back Mohanad Jeahze as Ange Postecoglou lines up a summer signing spree.

The Parkhead side may be on the verge of the title but they learned last season about the dangers of standing still.

It's something Postecoglou is keen to avoid and it’s believed Jeahze is set to be the first of a few new bodies in the door this summer.

Postecoglou has done it his way with a swashbuckling style of football that has had punters on the edge of their seats all season.

The 56-year-old's tactics have been vital but he's also a specialist in identifying players who fit his style of play perfectly.

His hits in the transfer market have been plentiful with his signings proving the spark which has Celtic on the verge of title glory.

And now Jeahze could be next as the Scottish Sun state the £2m defender stands on the brink of a summer switch to Scotland.

But what kind of player is he?

Record Sport runs the rule over the Hammarby star.

Who is he?

Jeahze is an emerging left-back who is on the radar of European clubs after forging a burgeoning reputation in Swedish football.

The 25-year-old hasn't had it all his own way, as he left Norrköping following three loan spells.

Jeahze used permanent stints at Brommapojkarna and Mjällby to establish himself as a player of promise before top flight Hammarby came calling in 2020.

And it's been an upward trajectory since.

He's earned a reputation as one of the most exciting left-backs in the Swedish top flight and his form has been pivotal for a side who have won their first five league games of the season.

Jeahze is vital to Hammarby's style of play which has yielded 13 goals in five matches so far this season.

He was born in Sweden but is from Iraqi heritage and he's earned four caps for the country since making his debut last year.

What would be bring to Celtic?

An attacking swagger with defensive sensibilities.

But it's his sustained record of making a difference in the final third that really marks him out as a shrewd investment at a reported £2m.

Since the start of last season he's played 40 games, has created 41 key chances and earned 11 assists.

That's the best rate in both categories for any defender in the Swedish top flight and compares favourably to most wingers in the Allsvenskan.

But the Iraq international is also tigerish in tackle, he recovers four balls per game (among top five in Swedish top flight).

That stat is bumped up by his game for the ages against Helsingborgs where he recovered an incredible 13 balls and also created five key chances.

A player who can do a little bit of everything.

Sum him up in a picture

Yes, the offside flag should have been raised here, but this picture of Jeahze as the most advanced player on the pitch is what he is all about.

This resulted in him seizing upon the rebound before cutting it back for his team-mate to strike.

Jeahze doesn't suffer from altitude sickness and spends most games acting as an auxiliary winger.

He appears a logical fit for the Postecoglou way.

Genuine competition for Greg Taylor?

In a word, yes. But that's not a criticism of the current Celtic left back.

Postecoglou is acutely aware depth is needed in the full back positions, with Boli Bolingoli's Celtic career all but over and Liam Scales yet to truly convince he is a viable long-term option in the first team.

Celtic, if things go to plan, will be in the Champions League group stage and multiple options will be a non-negotiable for a side who are set to be facing some of best attacking players on the planet.

The GOAT map

Jeahze possesses a heat map that reflects favourably to the one that has become a popular meme on social media to highlight a player's efforts.

The GOAT, short for the greatest of all time, is the nickname given to the best player in their particular sport with crafty football fans riffing on it after big matches.

And, if you squint a little, Jeahze's fits the bill

But there's something more telling here, his actions shows he literally never stops bursting a gut from first minute to last down the left wing.

That's the mantra Postecoglou swears by and he appears a perfect fit for what he craves from his full-backs.

If Jeahze joins Celtic, his movements will likely include a few more runs into the middle of the park. which has become a key tactic under the Australian's stewardship.

Anything else?

Jeahze's attacking verve catches the eye, of course, and it's hard not to when he plays so high up the pitch.

But he loves a tackle and appears the type of player who will instantly get supporters onside – think the way Josip Juranovic has become a smash hit at Celtic.

He also has a knack of keeping it simple with his crosses, a driven low ball across the six yard line is his favourite.

Postecoglou namechecked Australia and Iran as other markets to explore after the the triple signing of Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate.

(SNS Group)

But this Swedish-born Iraqi fits the profile of a player who looks the identikit full-back that makes Angeball tick.

Taylor's improvements make him hard to shift but Jeahze has the traits to give the Scotland international real competition.

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