Zheng Zhi the new Petrov?​

Scotland International striker Chris Iwelomu today stated his belief that new Bhoy Zheng Zhi will become a firm fan favourite at Celtic Park.

Iwelomu – who played with Zhi for 18 months when at Charlton – is a strong admirer of the Chinese International’s abilities, stating “I would definitely say he has the quality to make a real name for himself at Celtic. The great thing about him is that he is always wanting to get the ball forward. He is not shy at getting into the box, and the season we were together his goals were in double figures. He scored twelve or thirteen goals that season, and he was playing in the middle of the park.”

Zheng Zhi - not just here as a shrewd piece of business.​

Such a contribution from midfield has not been seen at Celtic since the departure three years ago of club legend Stiliyan Petrov, who contributed over 50 goals during his term with the Bhoys.

While Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady have chipped in, the contributions from Petrov’s midfield successors – ranging from Jiri Jarosik and newly-departed Massimo Donati, to current first-teamers Landry N’Guemo and Scott Brown – has been minimal.

Initial thoughts when Zhi signed were that he was here as a commercial enterprise – a shirt-seller of sorts. While Iwelomu sees no problem in this, saying “so what if Celtic want to exploit another market? Clubs need all the help they can get at the minute,” it will be hoped that the acquisition of the Chinese captain provides Celtic with so much more.

DM