Glasgow, Scotland – Celtic are closely monitoring Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj as they assess potential reinforcements ahead of a significant summer transfer window, according to reports from Pete O’Rourke. The 24-year-old Swiss forward has emerged as a potential target for the Hoops, who are prioritizing the addition of a new center-forward following a season of inconsistent goalscoring.
Celtic Eye Plymouth Argyle’s Lorent Tolaj Ahead of Major Summer Rebuild
Tolaj’s journey to prominence has been rapid. Joining Plymouth from Port Vale last summer, he quickly repaid the approximately £1.2 million investment, becoming a key figure in their attack. In the 2025-26 EFL League One season, Tolaj has scored 14 goals in 26 matches, averaging 0.56 goals per 90 minutes – a figure that places him ninth among all League One players with at least three appearances. This impressive form has caught the attention of several clubs, including Celtic.
However, Tolaj’s rise didn’t start at Plymouth. His path to professional football included a stint with Aldershot Town in the 2023-24 season, where he netted 25 goals, earning the National League Player of the Month award for January 2024. Prior to that, he had loan spells with Cambridge United, Salford City, and Dundee after initially joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018. He was Port Vale’s top scorer as they secured promotion out of League Two before his move to Plymouth.
Despite Celtic’s interest, Plymouth are reportedly determined to retain Tolaj, who is currently under contract until June 30, 2029. This long-term commitment suggests that any potential deal to prise him away from Home Park will be neither straightforward nor inexpensive.
Would Tolaj Actually Solve Celtic’s Most Pressing Problem Right Now?
Celtic’s pursuit of Tolaj arrives at a pivotal moment for the club. A substantial overhaul is anticipated this summer, with the appointment of a new permanent manager expected to drive significant changes to the squad. Robbie Keane has been identified as a primary candidate for the managerial role, following reporting by The Guardian on March 12, 2026. The departure of Adam Idah to Swansea City last summer left a clear void in the center-forward position, a gap that interim manager Martin O’Neill has attempted to fill with loan signings.
On paper, Tolaj appears to fit the profile of a player Celtic needs: a proven goalscorer with a strong record across multiple seasons in English football. His non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes place him in the 95th percentile among League One players, and he has contributed to 18 goals in all competitions this season. His background includes appearances for Switzerland at the Under-19 level, where he notably scored eight goals in a single match – a record for an Under-19 Euro qualifier.
However, a crucial question remains: can League One production translate to success in the Scottish Premiership, particularly for a club with Champions League aspirations? Whereas several players have successfully made the jump from League One to Scotland, Celtic’s ambitions arguably require players who have already demonstrated their quality at a higher level, or possess the potential to reach elite status.
At 24, Tolaj doesn’t neatly fit either of those categories. He isn’t a raw, unpolished talent with limitless potential, nor is he a seasoned European performer. Celtic are also reportedly monitoring Tolaj’s Plymouth teammate, Aribim Pepple, alongside Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt, who has a proven track record in the Champions League with six goals and three assists in 13 appearances this season. Hogh’s European experience significantly alters the risk assessment compared to Tolaj’s.
Given the extensive rebuilding process facing Celtic – encompassing the appointment of a new manager, reshaping the squad, and potentially overhauling the entire football structure – prioritizing a striker with established European pedigree would minimize risk. Tolaj’s numbers are undeniably impressive, and his upward trajectory is encouraging, but Celtic should view him as a secondary option, a player to consider if more established targets prove unattainable.
Plymouth’s commitment to Tolaj, evidenced by his long-term contract, and their reluctance to sell further complicate matters. The likely transfer fee could exceed what Celtic deems reasonable at this stage of his career. The interest in Tolaj demonstrates prudent due diligence by Celtic’s recruitment team, but any concrete move should be contingent on the new manager’s vision and tactical approach. Signing a striker before a permanent manager is in place risks repeating past mistakes that have hampered Celtic’s transfer strategy.
Celtic’s next confirmed fixture is a Scottish Premiership match against St. Mirren on March 28, 2026. The outcome of the managerial search and the subsequent transfer window will undoubtedly shape the club’s fortunes in the coming season.
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