Ex-manager suggests £4.5m star could be forced out of Celtic due to Furuhasi ‘revelation’
Alex McLeish has claimed Albian Ajeti is fighting for his future at Celtic following the arrival of Kyogo Furuhashi and Georgios Giakoumakis.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Japan international has been a “revelation” since moving to a central role under Ange Postecoglou.
Ajeti, 24, has played five times this season but tellingly has not started a single game across all competitions.
He has managed to play just seven minutes in the Premiership so far.
Celtic have also added Greece international Giakoumakis to their ranks following Odsonne Edouard’s departure.
With the new arrival only adding to the competition at Parkhead, McLeish suggested the £4.5million signing from West Ham faces a battle to remain a Hoops star.
Asked if Ajeti is facing for his future at Celtic amid axe fears, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yes, he will be.
“For Giakoumakis, we’ll have to see just how well he slots into the team. We know Kyogo has been a bit of a revelation in the beginning.
“We’ve seen a wee bit of a difference when Postecoglou moved him through the middle in the Celtic forward line.”
Furuhashi, 26, has been in lethal form this season, with seven goals in nine appearances.
The majority of his strikes have come playing as a centre-forward, although he has also operated as a left-sided winger.
Meanwhile, Giakoumakis was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season.
He netted 26 goals in 30 league appearances for VVV Venlo, despite the club being relegated.
Ajeti scored six times in 30 games for Celtic last season after joining from West Ham.
The 11-cap international has not played more than 16 minutes in a game this term.
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