Dimitrios Kourbelis

Greek media reporting that Panathinaikos captain Dimitrios Kourbelis, who is out of contract at the end of this season, is wanted by Celtic (and Rangers). Apparently he's looking for a "new challenge."

He's a defensive midfielder, 29-years-old, captain of Greece's second biggest club, and has consistently been one of the best players in the Greek Super League (Super League Greece Team of the Year: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20).

Oh, and he's already one sexy * in green and white hoops with a trifle leaf.

 

We have Iwata- I doubt we would buy another DMF.

 

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/24/panathinaikos-kourbelis-celtic/


Panathinaikos captain Dimitrios Kourbelis is reportedly wanted by Glasgow giant Celtic FC, managed by Greek-Australia Ange Postecoglou, and their crosstown rivals Rangers. Reports in Greece suggest that Celtic and Rangers are both trying to sign the defensive midfielder for next season.

The 29-year-old is out of contract with the Athens giants at the end of the season and has yet to agree on a new deal, with it looking increasingly unlikely he will extend his seven-year stint at the club.

And both Celtic and Rangers are among the clubs interested in snapping up Kourbelis, who can play as a central defender or a central midfielder, once his contract expires.

Kourbelis battled back from being out for 14 months a couple of years ago following a hip injury and has returned to become a key player for Panathinaikos.

He's been capped 30 times for Greece, but seems set to leave for new challenges at the end of the season and the Scottish Premiership's big two are among his potential suitors.

Relations with his club took a turn for the worse earlier this month when he was sent off in a match against Asteras Tripoli. He received two yellow cards within seven minutes and was fined £20,000 by Panathinaikos for his actions.

Panathinaikos first offered him a new three-year deal back in November. But no agreements have been reached and both halves of the Old Firm have been named in Greece as leading the chase for the experienced player.

 

If we're both being linked you'd imagine it's paper/agent *. The way we've been doing business now I doubt we're scouting the same players as them, and the media have been barely getting a sniff of who we're genuinely interested in this far out.

 

Out of contract in the summer and would be available for free. Not sure why we're looking at him though. He's a good player, but he doesn't improve us and is a hothead. He would improve the huns midfield though (not a reason for us to sign him though).

 

I could definitely see them going for him, as he's on a free. I can't see where he would fit in with us so I suspect we are just being thrown into the hat, as well as them, to drum up interest and see if anyone else bites.

 

Not required here

 

I'd like another cdm tbf. We only really have one true cdm in Iwata.

 

McGregor will play many games in that position even when Iwata is fully fit. We brought him for those complicated ties where a proper defensive expert is needed- Europe and maaaaybe certain away fixtures in Scotland.
I think McGregor is better served being closer to goal (long shot ability), but Ange certainly values him in the deep position he regularly starts out in.

 

Nonsense..

 

Linked to us and them free agent in summer and a position we don't urgently need. Would put money on it being bullshit or going to them going on all that

 

Unless perhaps Ange is looking at going with a double pivot in Europe next season.

 

That will be Iwata and Calmac. A permanent change to a double pivot in all competitions would be the only reason to buy more DMF-s. But that's unlikely.

 

Not necessarily. If - and it's a big 'if' - Ange is exploring the possibility of deploying 2 6's in Europe, you'd want at least one backup who he trusts in that position. For injuries, substitutions, rotation. Plus McGregor and supposedly Iwata are quite versatile, so could fill in other areas where required too.

 

No thanks.

 

I don't think we play one enough to warrant a back up to Iwata.

I've seen him linked to the huns as a Jack replacement. Anytime they link a player with both of us we aren't actually interested.

 

If he's out of contract in the summer and linked with both us and the huns then he'll be an injury prone player whose agent is punting him about everywhere to try and get one last payday out of him.

Huns will probably give him 40 grand a week

 

Honestly believe it can’t hurt. Would still love to move McGregor up one (esp v Huns and in Europe), but whoever steps in to the deeper role has to to have good use of the ball and a bit of vision. Seems Iwata does, and now we could do with someone else to come in to compete, imo.

Bigger priorities, but this would potentially be something I’d like to see.