2 weeks ago
28
PROTECT YOUR DNA WITH QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by Adpathway
Published Sep 1, 2026, 5:15 PM GMT+1
Daniel is an experienced football writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering the professional game, specialising in the Championship, Football League and Scottish football, alongside in-depth coverage of Norwich City, Celtic and Rangers.
A journalist since 2015, Daniel began his career writing for Fresh Press before progressing into a full-time writing and editing role, producing club-focused coverage for Read Norwich, Read Celtic, Read Liverpool and Read Arsenal. He later spent almost a year with Liverpool-based outlet Anfield Watch, where his work included conducting and transcribing interviews with figures including Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, former Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Daniel has worked with Snack Media (now Valnet) since 2021, contributing to Football FanCast as both a writer and editor. His work focuses particularly on player analysis, transfer insight and original football features, combining detailed knowledge of the game with research-driven assessment of players, clubs and potential moves.
His specialist knowledge of Norwich City and the Football League has also seen him contribute to BBC Norfolk and assist DAZN with research for commentary broadcasts. As a Norwich City season-ticket holder, Daniel brings a level of first-hand knowledge of the club and its players that complements his wider expertise across the Championship and EFL. His Norwich coverage has also featured in publications including the Coventry Telegraph and Liverpool Echo.
Alongside his Football League expertise, Daniel has covered Celtic and Rangers extensively, developing a strong understanding of Scottish football. His work gives readers informed transfer assessment, detailed player analysis and authoritative insight into clubs and competitions he has spent years following and reporting on.
Celtic are working on various deals to bolster Martin O'Neill's options across the pitch before the summer transfer window officially slams shut on Thursday.
One player who is already on the verge of sealing a move to Parkhead is central midfielder Joey van den Berg, who is in Glasgow ahead of his move being confirmed.
REUTERS/Leonhard FoegerThe Hoops have agreed a £3.4m package with Dutch side PSV to bring the 19-year-old talent to the Scottish Premiership side before the deadline passes this week.
Where Joel van den Berg fits in at Celtic
This is an intriguing piece of business by the Hoops because the teenage midfielder has only played six matches at senior level and only 138 minutes of league football in his career so far.
Van den Berg has started the season with PSV's reserve side and scored two goals in their first three games of the campaign, showing off the attacking quality that he can provide from a midfield role.
The £3.4m-rated star is capable of playing as a number eight or as a number ten in the middle of the park, which means that he could offer versatility to O'Neill as a player who could cover multiple positions.
Benjamin Nygren is the only natural number ten in the squad, as it stands, whilst Luke McCowan, Mika Baur, Callum McGregor, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Reo Hatate are natural number eight options.
That means that van den Berg could arrive at Parkhead to be a back-up option to Nygren as an attacking midfielder, coming off the bench when the Sweden international needs a rest.
|
Appearances |
26 |
|
xG |
5.27 |
|
Goals |
7 |
|
Key passes per game |
1.5 |
|
Big chances created |
4 |
|
Assists |
3 |
His form in the second division of Dutch football in the 2025/26 campaign suggests that he does have the potential to provide attacking quality if he can make the step-up and adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premiership.
How Celtic can make a better signing than van den Berg
Meanwhile, the club are looking at another midfield addition who would not come with as many question marks over his ability to make the jump to Glasgow.
According to a report from Turkey, Celtic have agreed personal terms with Torinio central midfielder Gvidas Gineitis ahead of a potential move before Thursday's deadline.
It is said that the Hoops are continuing talks with the Serie A outfit over a transfer fee for the star, who CeltsAreHere claim is available for a fee of around £8.5m.
This latest update means that the Scottish giants will not have any more hurdles to jump over, barring a medical, if they are able to agree a fee with the Italian side.
If the Hoops can get this deal over the line, whether it is for £8.5m or less than that valuation, he would be an even better signing for O'Neill's team than van den Berg.
Whilst the Dutchman could join to be a back-up to Nygren in the number ten role as an unknown quantity, Gineitis would fill the defensive midfield slot to provide physicality as a regular starter in the middle of the park.
|
Appearances |
10 |
9 |
|
Tackles per game |
1.4 |
0.7 |
|
Interceptions per game |
0.9 |
0.4 |
|
Dribbled past per game |
0.9x |
0.4x |
|
Duels won per game |
2.9 |
1.7 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
48% |
41% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
18% |
0% |
In the Europa League last season, Celtic's midfielders, McGregor and Hatate in particular, struggled to deal with the physicality and intensity of the level, losing the majority of their duels on the ground and in the air.
Gineitis' form in the Serie A, a major European league, suggests that he would not have the same problems in midfield, as he is a physically imposing figure in that position.
The Lithuania international won 56% of his ground duels and 51% of his aerial battles in 29 appearances in the Serie A in the 2025/26 campaign, and has won 80% of his duels in the first two matches of the current season.
Gineitis would be a plug-and-play signing who could hit the ground running as a physically dominant talent for Celtic in midfield, given that he has already proven himself at senior level in a major European league.
The left-footed star, who grabbed an assist against AC Milan on the opening day of this season, has also created five 'big chances' in the Serie A since the start of last term, showing that he can also offer quality in possession.
Gineitis is a well-rounded midfield star who can offer the physicality that the Hoops have lacked, particularly, in Europe and could be an impactful player in their Europa League campaign, which is why he would be an even better signing than potential back-up van den Berg.
English (US) · 
French (CA) ·