Celtic transfer scouting: Czech centre-back in the Kristoffer Ajer mould and more

This article will focus on the Fortuna Liga, the Czech top-flight.

Celtic have had more than one Czech player - with Jiri Jarosik, Filip Twardzik, Patrik Twardzik and Milan Misun all on their books at one time or another - but never have they signed a player directly from a senior top-flight side in that country.

That could change, however, and there are a few talents who ply their trade in the Fortuna Liga who would prove to be shrewd acquisitions for Ange Postecoglou.

Here, we look at three such names...

Ladislav Krejčí (Sparta Praha)

Nationality: Czech; Age: 23; Position: Defensive midfielder; Preferred foot: Left; Height: 6ft 3in

Krejčí has been in demand for a couple of years and has been targeted by clubs from the top-five European leagues.

The tall defensive midfielder is a left-footed player and is very active in the defensive half of the midfield third, distributing and recycling the ball when in possession. Out of possession, his intent is on cutting out any potential danger.

While the Czech international’s passing isn’t as progressive as his competition, he is still capable of putting in through balls over the top or on the ground when there is an opportunity.

Krejčí often picks up the ball from his centre-backs and moves it forward. He is not someone who tends to wriggle his way out of pressure but he is intelligent enough to distribute the ball safely to a team-mate and ensure his side does not lose possession.

The 23-year-old has an excellent passing range and can switch play well when given space and time on the ball. The above image is an example where the opposition crowds the midfield and blocks any good attack through the middle, so he scans the pitch and immediately switches play with a perfectly weighted long ball to his full-back.

Krejčí is not a creative player, as his strengths lie more on the defensive side, but he can be smart and create openings for his team, delaying moves on the ball before attracting players and passing the ball into space for potential runners. The above images sum up one of those situations.

On the defensive side, Krejčí is a significant influence. Firstly, he is a versatile player who can slot at left centre-back in a back three or play up the pitch as a central midfielder. However,  the defensive midfield role is where he is the best because of the way he combines his passing and defensive intent.

In terms of duelling, the Czech midfielder is very aggressive and robust. His height is a massive advantage in the air and helps him get on the end of most aerial duels but it is not just his natural stature but how he uses it to impose his physicality in the air that stands out.

The numbers relating to his defensive and aerial duel success rates tell that story. However, this aggressiveness might have to be fine-tuned somewhat as he gives away a lot of fouls.

On the flip side of his game, he sometimes gets caught trying to be a little too eager to get to the ball first. Clever interchanges can thus get him in trouble.

Overall, Krejčí could be a good signing for Celtic as he is quite simply instrumental in and out of possession.

Martin Vitík (Sparta Praha)

Nationality: Czech; Age: 19; Position: Centre-back; Preferred foot: Right; Height: 6ft 4in

Sparta Praha is one of the best Czech clubs and has had great players like Tomás Rosický, Petr Cech and Pavel Nedved play for them in the past.

They sold Adam Hložek recently to Bayer Leverkusen, and they have a few more players who could move to Europe in the near future. Martin Vitík is one of them, and someone Celtic would be clever to be monitoring.

Vitík is a young, right-footed right-centre back who is good with the ball at his feet and has a high enough ceiling to play for a top Champions League club.

Vitík’s passing numbers are positive, although his ball progression via passing does look less than the average in terms of volume. However, his ideal style of ball progression is via carries - and he is excellent at that.

The Czech under-21 international can often carry the ball all the way from the defensive third to the final third. His balance remains good when carrying despite his tall stature, much in the manner of former Celt Kristoffer Ajer.

In addition to his carrying, Vitík is also adept at pulling off extremely good through balls in behind opposition defence if he finds a little bit of space.

The young Czech defender is also good at spreading the ball down the flanks with long diagonals and possesses a good technique. It is safe to say that he is already good with his feet but, with his ability, he could potentially try to be a bit more adventurous with his passing.

The defensive side of his game is where he has a few weaknesses that can be ironed out with time.

Vitík is strong in the air, winning over 68 per cent of his aerial duels. The timing of his jumps and how he imposes his physicality in aerial duels are often the key to winning the aerial battles for him.

When the opposition is attacking him in the last line of defence, he does not jump and commit straight away. Instead, he usually tries to slow down the attacker and get an advantage over his man.

The 19-year-old is good at anticipating passes and intercepting them. However, when the tempo is high, he can occasionally be rash and get caught out and cede fouls.

Surprisingly, he is quick for a centre-back which helps him recover well for counter-attacks. Additionally, the youngster is good with ground duels, winning his fair share.

While a right centre-back is not a priority for Celtic at the moment, Vitík could be a player for Postecoglou in the long term.

Dávid Hancko (Sparta Praha)

Nationality: Slovakian; Age: 24; Position: Centre-back; Preferred foot: Left; Height: 6ft 2in

Hancko was heavily linked with West Ham in the January transfer window, with a potential summer move being touted. However, he is still at Sparta and could be the solution to Celtic’s left-side-of-defence issue.

Hancko is also a versatile player, having played at left-back numerous times for Sparta Praha in the Europa Conference League last season.

As you can see from the numbers, Hancko is an outstanding ball player with a wide range of passing in his locker. He always looks to move the ball forward, progressing it as much as possible. Although ball carrying is not his forte, he is nonetheless good at carrying it over shorter distances and pulling off penetrative passes.

Hancko is good at finding through balls when he is in the final third or midfield third and allies that intent with the technical ability to pull them off perfectly.

Additionally, he has a magnificent left foot that curl crosses in as well as shots. His goal against Slovácko, as seen in the picture above, is one for the highlight reels.

The left-footed centre-back is excellent at going long as well, with the ability to deliver fizzing balls over the top and clip passes. He is good at dropping into the left half-space and looking to break lines by finding players wide or central.

Hancko stands tall at 6ft 2in and is a strong aerial presence, imposing himself to the extent he wins most duels in the air.

What makes the 24-year-old particularly astute defensively is his in-game intelligence. He is someone who will shimmy back and wait to pounce rather than going all in unless it absolutely has to be a last-ditch tackle.

He has the awareness to push a player away from the goal if he is chasing them or following them with his quickness and trying to tackle with good timing. He doesn't mind going to ground in these instances at all.

This occasional 'heroic' defending does, at times, get him in trouble but all in all Hancko is a centre-back that appears destined to play at the top level and one that would settle in well at Celtic with their style. His versatility to play at left-back simply makes him all the more appealing.