---
title: "Celtic: Noel Whelan says that Daniel Arzani’s return is akin to “a new signing”"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-noel-whelan-says-that-daniel-arzanis-return-is-akin-to-a-new-signing/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Features"
published: "2020-01-21T17:20:53Z"
modified: "2020-01-21T17:20:53Z"
---

# Celtic: Noel Whelan says that Daniel Arzani’s return is akin to “a new signing”

**Former Premiership striker Noel Whelan believes that the return of Celtic winger Daniel Arzani after a lengthy injury absence could spare Neil Lennon the need to spend money in bringing in a player for that position.**

The Australian [came on towards the end of the Hoops’ 2-1 win over Partick Thistle](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3288605) in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, making his [first competitive appearance in almost 15 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-arzani/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/399997/verein/371) after [rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-06/daniel-arzani-confirms-he-will-need-operation-on-torn-acl/10469042) (ACL) on his debut for the club against Hearts.

Whelan thinks that Lennon might not need to purchase a winger after the 21-year-old finally made his return to first team action, telling [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-pundit-suggests-celtic-player-may-feel-like-a-new-signing-after-recent-sighting/): “You’d think to yourself, do I need to spend money on this position? If he can do a job, he doesn’t need to go out into the transfer market.

“So it’s a good opportunity for Neil to see players he hasn’t seen much of and it’s an opportunity for the players to say ‘hey you don’t need to buy anybody else’ I can do a job. It’s down to the player, it’s up to the player to convince Lennon that he doesn’t need anyone else in that position and that you’re good enough to fight for a place. And I’m there, available and ready.

“Neil will know he’s in a fight for this title, he needs quality players and to be able to use their squad, as they’re in every cup at the minute so there’s a lot of games for Celtic to play. It’s a great opportunity for Neil, and the player may feel like a new signing.”

Whelan’s comment about Arzani being akin to a new signing is understandable given how long the Australian was sidelined and that he had only played [one game for the club](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-arzani/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/399997/verein/371) prior to his ACL injury. He may have featured for just [five minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-arzani/leistungsdaten/spieler/399997) against Partick Thistle at the weekend but just to return to action after being injured for so long could feel like a seminal moment in the 21-year-old’s career.

Arzani might not have yet had a real chance to show what he can do for Celtic but he was considered good enough by English Premier League champions Manchester City to [sign him in August 2018](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2018/august/man-city-sign-daniel-arzani) before [loaning him to the Hoops](https://www.celticfc.net/news/14785). He also [played in all three of Australia’s matches](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player/389503/) at that year’s World Cup aged just 19, becoming the [youngest player to feature for his country in the tournament’s history](https://www.goal.com/en-us/match/france-v-australia/report/3g144vnu0gzm5blvn62rw2b55), which hints at the scale of his potential.

Whelan also makes a good point about the youngster’s return perhaps sparing Lennon the need to go into the transfer market for a left winger, with Celtic trimming their options in this department during the month. Scott Sinclair [moved on to Preston](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51042896) earlier in January while Lewis Morgan is set to complete a switch to Inter Miami in the coming days (as per [Miami Herald](https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article239434148.html)).

The Hoops could be down another left winger later this year if they are unable to turn Mohamed Elyounoussi’s loan move from Southampton into a permanent one, with the Norwegian [due to return to his parent club at the end of the season](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49531965). Having scored [seven goals in 13 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mohamed-elyounoussi/leistungsdaten/spieler/186644) for the Scottish champions, the 25-year-old’s absence is likely to be felt by Celtic if they don’t manage to sign him permanently.

As Whelan has said, the long-awaited return of Arzani has the feel of a new signing and could allow Lennon to direct his transfer budget towards other areas of the pitch.

***Celtic fans, what did you make of Whelan’s likening of Arzani’s return to “a new signing”? Tell us what you think by commenting below!***