Gineitis explained: Why Celtic were so keen to sign the Torino star

Why Celtic were so keen to sign Gvidas Gineitis

Celtic’s long-standing interest in Gvidas Gineitis may have left some supporters wondering what made the Torino midfielder such an appealing target, but his underlying numbers provide plenty of clues.

The 22-year-old ultimately did not make the move to Glasgow, with Celtic’s attempt to sign him collapsing before the deadline to register their Europa League squad. However, the statistics behind his performances in Serie A explain why he remained on the club’s radar for much of the summer.

According to SkillCorner, Gineitis ranked first among 77 Serie A midfielders for distance covered per 90 minutes, running distance, match intensity and changes of direction. He was also second for high-speed running distance and fourth for high-intensity distance.

Those figures highlight exactly what Celtic appeared to be looking for in midfield: energy, mobility and the ability to cover significant areas of the pitch.

With Arne Engels no longer at the club, Gineitis offered the possibility of replacing him with a more athletic midfielder while still retaining an element of creativity. His appeal was therefore about more than simply his work-rate.

Former Torino coach Shaun Maloney had previously highlighted the energy and effort Gineitis could provide, and his Serie A statistics underline that assessment.

The Lithuania international averaged 11,872 metres covered per 90 minutes in Serie A, while his match-intensity figure stood at 131.91 metres per minute. Those numbers suggest a midfielder who is constantly involved, capable of repeatedly moving across the pitch and maintaining a high level of activity throughout matches.

There was also evidence that Gineitis could contribute in the attacking phase.

Soccerment classifies him as a roaming playmaker, while his statistics placed him in the top 20 per cent of Serie A central midfielders for expected assists from open play. He also averaged 4.25 passes into the penalty area and 3.25 crosses per 90 minutes.

That combination made Gineitis an intriguing option for Celtic.

He could provide the running and intensity required to press opponents and recover possession, while also having the technical qualities to help move the ball forward and create opportunities in the final third.

Although Celtic’s attempt to sign him ultimately failed, Gineitis’ statistics make it easier to understand why the club remained interested in him for so long.

For Celtic, he appeared to offer a blend of athleticism, creativity and versatility that could have added a different dimension to O’Neill’s midfield.