Celtic Cannot Afford to Miss Out on Players Like Mitchel Bakker

There is one thing Celtic supporters have been asking for repeatedly over recent transfer windows: ambition.

Not just numbers. Not just squad fillers. Not just players who might come good somewhere down the line.

They want quality.

They want players who have been tested at the highest level, players who understand pressure, players who can walk into Celtic Park and immediately raise standards.

That is why the reported interest in Mitchel Bakker is the kind of transfer story that deserves attention.

The Atalanta defender is not a household name in Scotland, but perhaps that is exactly why Celtic should be looking closely. The Hoops have built much of their success in recent years by identifying players who still have something to prove — footballers with ability, experience and the hunger to show they belong at the top level.

Bakker fits that description.

The Dutchman has already played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Ajax, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen. This is not a player who is stepping into a new world. He knows what elite football looks like.

That matters.

Celtic’s ambitions cannot simply be measured by domestic dominance anymore. The club has repeatedly talked about competing on the European stage, and if that is the target, then the recruitment strategy has to reflect it.

Players with European experience are not a luxury. They are a necessity.

Bakker’s biggest attraction is his versatility. In modern football, having a player who can cover multiple positions is invaluable. A defender who can operate at left-back, wing-back or in a back three gives Martin O’Neill options that could prove vital during a long and demanding season.

And let’s be honest — Celtic need that.

The squad has quality, but every season brings the same challenges. Injuries arrive, fixtures pile up and European nights expose any weaknesses. The difference between a good campaign and a great one is often the strength of the players who come into the team when others are unavailable.

Bakker could be that player.

Some supporters may question the need for another left-sided defender, especially after the excitement surrounding Kieran Tierney‘s return. But having two quality options in that area is not a problem — it is exactly what ambitious clubs should be aiming for.

The days of Celtic relying on one standout player in each position should be over.

If the club wants to compete properly, they need competition throughout the squad.

The other encouraging aspect is Bakker’s situation at Atalanta. A player who is not getting the game time he wants is often a player with something to prove. Celtic have benefited from that type of mentality before.

Players arriving at Parkhead with a point to prove can become fan favourites very quickly.

They understand that Celtic is not just another club. It comes with expectation, pressure and the demand to win every week.

That environment is not for everyone.

But for the right player, it can be the perfect place to rebuild a career and become a key figure.

Of course, Celtic must get the deal right. There is no point paying over the odds or signing a player purely because of reputation. Recruitment has to be smart, and every signing has to improve the team.

But if the opportunity is there to bring in a player with Bakker’s background, ability and versatility, Celtic should be asking serious questions.

This is exactly the type of market the club should be operating in.

Not chasing unrealistic superstar names. Not gambling on unknown quantities. Finding players who have already experienced the highest level but still have the hunger to achieve more.

That is where Celtic can find value.

Mitchel Bakker may or may not become a Celtic player, but the profile is right. The ambition is right. The idea is right.

Under Martin O’Neill, Celtic need players who are ready for the challenge ahead.

And if Bakker is available, this feels like the type of opportunity the club simply cannot afford to ignore.