Teemu Pukki set for possible return to Germany

Bundesliga outfit Freiburg are apparently interested in Celtic’s Teemu Pukki and could offer the striker an opportunity to escape his Parkhead purgatory.

By The Newsroom Friday, 9th May 2014, 1:57 pm

Teemu Pukki celebrates his goal against St Johnstone with team-mate Virgil Van Dijk, the striker is attracting interest from Germany. Picture: SNS

Pukki, who scored in the 3-3 draw with St Johnstone, has only scored seven goals in 16 appearances since signing from Shalke for £2.3 million last summer and has failed to shine in a Celtic shirt.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has made it clear though, that now that Anthony Stokes has cemented his place in the first team, Lennon will be looking for back up for the Irish man and strike partner Leigh Griffiths in the summer and though Pukki has made no mention of leaving it is clear the striker is in danger of sliding even further down the pecking order in Lennon’s plans, should the manager sign another striker this summer.

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Pukki has already struggled to get first team action after the arrival of Leigh Griffiths and Holmbert Fridjonsson in January.

Teemu Pukki celebrates his goal against St Johnstone with team-mate Virgil Van Dijk, the striker is attracting interest from Germany. Picture: SNS

The striker, who is still a key part of Mixu Patelainen’s Finland squad, still carries value as an international player and Lennon will be wanting to ensure that he recoups most of the money Celtic paid for him last summer, and will take that into consideration when recieving any offers from Freiburg or other interested clubs.

BT Sport Q&A: Rangers | Hibs | Neil Lennon

THIS week’s BT Sport video Q&A looks at whether Rangers fans will buy season tickets and if the club’s supporters will force a change of ownership.

The form of Hibs under Terry Butcher is also examined following the Easter Road side’s derby defeat while the future of Neil Lennon is also considered following the announcement that his assistant Johan Mjallby is to depart at the end of the season.

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