Spanish and German media are reporting the imminent move of German right back Andreas Hinkel to Celtic Park. Gordon Strachan’s side are said to be paying over three million euros for the 25 year old’s services. Celtic could clearly use the help, judging by yesterday’s second half collapse at Inverness, where they surrendered three second half goals after leading 2-0. The defending SPL champions now stand to give up first place to Rangers, who sit two points behind Celtic but have two games in hand.
Strachan has also been short of a right-back after injuries to Mark Wilson and Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe, with central defender Gary Caldwell having filled that position in recent games.
So Hinkel would definitely fill a void. He would also likely play more than he has with the Andalusian side he joined in the summer of 2006. This season Hinkel has only played in a half dozen games in Primera Division, Champions League and Copa Del Rey action. He was capped 17 times for Germany but has fallen out of the international picture because of his lack of first-team games in Spain.
Is Hinkel what Celtic need? Or should the ginger gnome be looking elsewhere?