Current squad review: What Celtic still need before the transfer window closes
Celtic’s squad is starting to take shape ahead of the window closing in a couple of weeks. However, even with four players coming in the club still has a lot of work to do. So far Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur have joined earlier recruits Kasper Høgh and Camilo Durán.
Those attacking reinforcements are certainly welcome and now O’Neill’s attention will turn to the rest of the squad. We look at the current list of players and identify areas that we feel the recruitment team should be looking at strengthening over the next couple of weeks.
Goalkeeper — One has to come in.
Current options: Viljami Sinisalo, Ross Doohan
This is an obvious area the club need to strengthen after Kasper Schmeichel left in the summer without being replaced. Sinisalo has done well since stepping up but competition is certainly needed for the no1 jersey. Unfortunately, that will not come from Ross Doohan who fills that 3rd keeper role in a homegrown slot.
We are a Sinisalo injury from disaster ahead of the CL qualifiers so another goalkeeper has to be a priority. Whether that turns out to be a clear no2 or someone capable of being first team goalkeeper for Celtic has yet to be seen.
Reports currently link the club with Blackburn goalie Balázs Tóth. That would look as if the club are hoping to bring in someone who can compete with Sinisalo which would be a positive move.
Verdict - Goalkeeper needed asap
Right-back — fine if Johnston stays
Current options: Alistair Johnston, Anthony Ralston, Colby Donovan
Right back looks pretty well covered from a bodies point of view. The problem has been the uncertainty around Alistair Johnston. The prospect of losing the Canadian has made the cover at right back look very weak.
Both Ralston and Donovan seem fine as back up but neither are the right option for a regular starting role at this time. Bringing in another right back would allow Donovan to go get game time on loan to help him develop further . With Johnston injured again that looks like a solid option for the club. Another quality fullback that can play when Johnston isn’t available.
I think O’Neill will try to get through these qualifiers without Johnston and then hope he’s still here when the window closes. If Johnston stays I don’t see them going for a fourth right back.
Verdict - Currently ok
Centre-back — Numbers are fine but could we do better?
Current options: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Dane Murray
Celtic are not short of centre back options. Four fit centre back’s is about right for any club. The problem we have is that our main stand out starter is Carter-Vickers who has been plagued with injury problems throughout his time at Celtic. This raises the question could Celtic do with another centre back at the club? Or do they go with Trusty and Scales when CCV is out.
Sadly, I don’t think Murray is at the level Celtic needs and will be a clear back up this season. With European football and a full domestic calendar another centre back would have been nice but the manager has already said the club are not in the market to strengthen this position. If anything, I would have sent Murray on loan or sold him to make way for a stronger fourth option.
Verdict: OK, not a priority for the club currently
Left-back — Tierney needs competition
Current options: Kieran Tierney, Adam Montgomery
We are beginning to see the best of Tierney once again as he proves what a good footballer he is. Having KT and Johnston as fullbacks is real top class and we hope to see that pairing for as long as possible. That being said, KT has had real injuries in the past and played a lot of football last season.
The club has to bring in a player who can at least cover for KT. Ideally we really want someone who can challenge him for the position. Right now Adam Montgomery is there but he is not likely to ever be first team ready for Celtic based on what we’ve seen.
A lot of fans expressed their interest in the club exploring a deal for Dundee Utd’s Will Ferry but that now looks unlikely. Instead Celtic have been linked with a move for a young player at Chelsea called Landon Emenalo, who looks like he would play the role of back up to Tierney.
The question the club need to ask is whether they would be happy for the youngster to play in the position during a big European game. If not, then the move doesn’t make sense. Whatever happens its an area Celtic must strengthen before the end of the window.
Verdict: Signing needed
Central midfield — Celtic’s biggest priority
Current options include: Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, Luke McCowan, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mika Baur
Celtic have numbers in the middle of the park but not necessary the quality thats needed to see us through the season. McCowan and Oxlade-Chamberlain are backups and Engels and Hatate are expected to leave. That’s without any unexpected losses like Nygren or McGregor.
Suddenly we start to look a bit thin in the middle of the park. Baur is a welcome addition but you’d think Celtic need another couple of centre mids to be comfortable this season. Baur looks like a replacement for Hatate, a young dynamic technically capable footballer.
So Celtic still need to replace the physicality and creativity of Engels if his move to West Ham goes through as expected. This is an area the club need to be really proactive and bring in quality before the window closes.
Verdict: Priority. Two players needed. Three if Nygren leaves.
Wide players — Hassan changes the picture
Current options include: Haissem Hassan, Jota, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Yang Hyun-jun, Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest
We have plenty of wingers at the football club but do we have the quality needed for the season ahead. Hassan coming in clearly improves the picture but I still feel like the club could do with a left wing option incase Jota is unable to return as expected.
Balikwisha will hopefully leave and to be honest I would say the same for Tounekti, neither have been a success since arriving for big money last summer. Forrest is still useful in small doses but that leaves us starting the season with Yang and Hassan as wingers for the season until Jota comes back.
We can get by with what we have but it would be nice to add another left winger as an option. This obviously becomes less of a priority if Jota comes back and picks up where he left off.
Verdict: Left winger if they are available but not a priority
Centre-forward — An area the club are well covered
Current options include: Kasper Høgh, Camilo Durán, Callum Osmand, Johnny Kenny
Centre forward is one area of the park where Celtic are covered and have strengthened well early in the window. With Kasper Høgh and Camilo Durán coming through the door to add to Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny, Celtic have more than enough quality for the season ahead. As long as there are no major injuries between now and the window closing.
Losing Maeda and Iheanacho was a blow but the club have recruited well to replace them. They have a good mix of ready made strikers and players with potential for the season ahead. No issues with the club up top. Even if Kenny does leave the football club this window.
Verdict: No signing needed
So what do Celtic still need?
The club have made positive quality additions this window but there is still work to do.
Our priorities before the window closes would be:
1. Goalkeeper — genuine competition for Sinisalo
2. Left-back — reliable competition and cover for Tierney
3. Centre Mid — another two quality options if Engels and Hatate leave
A centre back, right back and left wing would also be nice but are not currently the priority for the club. Things could change between now and the end of the window depending on who leaves. However thats the situation as I see it currently.
Tim Lisbon
What do you think? Are Celtic well prepared for the season ahead? What else do they need to do before the window closes?