OPINION
Bahlul Mustafazada has been backed to be a big hit should he make a move to Celtic this summer, and Hoops hearts will surely be fluttering at the prospect.
The 22-year-old centre-back has been linked with a switch to the Scottish champions, as reported by the Herald, after a stellar breakout season for boyhood club Gabala in Azerbaijan.
It is understood that he could be seen as a long term replacement for Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic, who are both expected to leave this summer.
But aside from a name and a rough idea of where he hails from, most fans won’t be too familiar with the youngster.
That’s why the latest comments from his teammate Rauf Aliyev will come as a huge source of comfort for the Hoops.
As quoted in the Daily Record, he said: “This season Bahlul has been outstanding for us.
“I read about the interest about him from Celtic and I believe this would be a very good move for him. He’s young and still learning, but he is a top prospect for Azerbaijan.
“Every day I see him working by himself to get better and stronger. He’s very dedicated to try and become a top player.”
The concern any fan would have when signing a relative unknown to replace a seasoned professional would be that the new arrival would take time to get up to speed, or never get to the level required at all.
That doesn’t seem as if it will be a problem with Mustafazada, who already seems to be is being raved about as a top quality talent.
Add to that the fact that he seems willing to put in the work required to keep growing and developing, and the Azerbaijani could prove to be a top find for the Hoops, should the mooted switch go ahead.