Tomas Cvancara: Gladbach’s Unsettled Forward Seeking Fresh Beginnings at Celtic

Czech Star

Reports from Germany indicate that Celtic is nearing their second major signing of the January transfer window. According to Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for Sky Sports Germany, the Scottish Premiership club is in advanced discussions to acquire Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tomas Cvancara on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy. So, who is this 25-year-old striker, and should Celtic fans be excited about the prospect of him leading the attack?

What kind of player is Tomas Cvancara?

At 6ft 2in, Cvancara certainly fits the mold of a towering target man. However, it would be a mistake to assume that the Czech striker thrives on holding up the ball and scoring headers in the Scottish top-flight. Throughout his career, only 10 of Cvancara’s 77 goals in 63 matches have come from headers, and he generally prefers not to play with his back to the goal.

This tendency has often led to Cvancara being utilized in inappropriate forward roles. Before joining Gladbach for €10.5 million in 2023, he shined at Sparta Prague, often playing as a support striker or a right-winger. His speed and skill with the ball at his feet allow him to thrive in open spaces, rather than being confined to acting purely as a target man in the box.

What challenges did Tomas Cvancara face at Gladbach?

Before moving to Germany, Cvancara was loaned to various clubs both inside and outside the Czech Republic. He truly found his stride at Sparta Prague, scoring 24 goals and providing 7 assists in 49 matches while primarily playing as a forward and right winger. Unfortunately, he struggled to replicate that success in the Bundesliga.

One major factor in Cvancara’s difficulties at Gladbach was the weight of high expectations. Not only was his transfer fee substantial—making him the club’s ninth most expensive signing—but he was also expected to fill the shoes of fan-favorite Marcus Thuram. After a promising start, where he netted four goals and provided three assists in his first four Bundesliga matches, a string of muscle injuries saw him sidelined, including a significant ankle injury that kept him out until March the following year.

Upon his return, the team had reshaped their attack around new players, including the addition of Germany national team star Tim Kleindienst, relegating Cvancara to a backup role and diminishing the lofty expectations surrounding his transfer fee and salary.

Inevitably, this situation led to growing frustration for Cvancara at Borussia Park. In early 2025, Sport-Bild reported on an “internal team revolt” within Seoane’s squad concerning the Czech striker. According to the report, a group of senior players approached the head coach asking for Cvancara to be excluded from the matchday squad due to his negative mindset and desire to leave the club.

While Gladbach never officially commented on these allegations, Cvancara took to Instagram to share his perspective. “I was the one who approached management during the winter because I felt I wasn’t meeting expectations after my injury. My performances didn’t align with what either party wanted. I wasn’t permitted to leave, despite promises made to me that weren’t honored. Although my role was unfulfilling, I always gave 100%,” he stated. Ahead of the new season, Cvancara was loaned to Turkish side Antalyaspor, where he only managed two goals and one assist in 13 appearances.

Can Tomas Cvancara succeed at Celtic?

Despite his challenges at Gladbach, a move to Celtic could signify a fresh start for Cvancara. Free from the burden of a hefty transfer fee, the Czech striker may find the opportunity to focus on performing well in Glasgow. Given the similarities between the Czech and Scottish leagues, Cvancara has the potential to return to his previous form exhibited at Sparta Prague during the latter half of the season.

However, his success will ultimately hinge on whether he can set aside past difficulties, both on and off the pitch, and if his new manager can deploy him effectively. Despite his size, Cvancara will likely need to operate alongside another center forward or have the freedom to run at defenders. If Celtic expects him to be a static target man in the box, they might encounter the same issues that Gladbach faced during his tenure there.