Celtic signing Podence over Fraser could be final nail in Rangers coffin as lack of Ibrox ‘progress’ rings alarm bells

Celtic are believed to be running the rule over two Premier League wingers but should they sign Podence instead of Fraser if it’s a choice between the two?

Daniel Podence is a no-brainer for Celtic…but Ryan Fraser isn’t quite.

That’s the view of Derek Riordan who feels the Wolves winger would be a “brilliant” signing for the Parkhead club. And the former Parkhead and Hibs striker also believes a lack of progress across the city at Rangers could make it a long season for Michael Beale in his team in their bid to wrestle the title back off the Hoops.

Celtic have been linked with a number of wingers in this transfer window as Brendan Rodgers hunts for a marquee replacement for Jota despite already adding Yang and Marco Tilio to his options in that position. Scotland winger Fraser first appeared having been bombed out by Eddie Howe at Newcastle and Portuguese forward Podence got fans even more excited with Wolves keen to offload him to raise some transfer cash.

But if it’s a choice between the two, Riordan reckons it’s a no-brainer. Though he does believe his wage at Wolves, estimated to be around £60,000 per week, could be a stumbling block. He told Glasgow Live: “Podence would be a brilliant signing. I think he would be really good in Scotland. I don’t think they need Fraser. They’ve already got Liel Abada out on the right side. (Fraser) is an Abada-type player but I think Podence is excellent.

“I think he’s decent, he’s great on the ball and tricky. He can play in the hole and can also cut in from the outside. I just don’t know what type of salary he will be on at Wolves.”

Either way, Riordan only sees the title race this season going one way. The former striker, who spent two years at Parkhead between two spells at Hibs from 2006-2008, went on: “I caught the end of the Celtic game on Sunday (vs Aberdeen). I still think they are stronger than Rangers. It will take a wee bit of time for all the players to bed into how Brendan Rodgers wants them to play.

“Rangers are already behind after a bad result at Killie. You can’t afford to do that when you are at the Old Firm. The fans don’t accept that. You need to win. That is the pressure of playing at Celtic or Rangers.

“I fancy Celtic (to win it). From what I have seen of Rangers I don’t think there is much progress in my eyes. Looking at it from a football fan I don’t think they are as strong as Celtic. I think Celtic have a lot more overall strength.”