Kris Commons has advised Celtic fans to calm down and stop panicking over Celtic’s summer transfers and stresses that Celtic can’t constantly enjoy success.
With injuries mounting in the Celtic squad, Brendan Rodgers is likely to turn to the transfer window to bolster the Celtic squad. The Hoops certainly didn’t look as strong, failing to score against both Kilmarnock and St Johnstone, thus highlighting the issues that lie in the squad.
With the current state of the Celtic defence, (Maik Nawrocki, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Stephen Welsh all out injured) Brendan will be looking to bolster the squad and bring in some experience at the back. Furthermore, with the loss of Jota, replacing high-quality players can be difficult, but Commons is wary of the effects that panic buying can bring, so stresses patience when buying players. As reported by the Scottish Sun, the former Celtic player had this to say.
“They’ve had a real good run in recent years, players coming in and hitting the ground running. Especially under Ange Postecoglou. So, to be critical this early on would be silly. Brendan knows exactly what he needs, and what’s required. The evidence was there against Kilmarnock. They do need reinforcements.
“But replacing people like Jota – a top, top player – is always difficult. Someone needs to be found, but they can’t rush in for that kind of player. Remember, in Brendan’s first spell in charge he suffered that very unlikely defeat in Gibraltar and there was an immediate pressure. But things didn’t work out too badly after that.
“It’s not all plain sailing, it’s not all Trebles, it’s not all winning week in and week out. Obviously, the famous unbeaten season. Brendan’s well experienced enough to know what’s required.
“The long-term goal will be winning the title and having a real good crack at Europe, the one thing he probably didn’t do at Celtic the first time round. I don’t see the need for panic. There’s time left in this window and I think there will be lots of business done.
“Celtic can’t panic buy. It happened in the past with the likes of Ajeti and Barkas. So, I’d say keep the faith, don’t panic. There will be players in the pipeline and they’ll have a big budget. They’ve got money to spend. Hopefully, they get their main targets in and they hit the ground running. They play Rangers soon and then there’s the Champions League football. The signings will have to be really at it from the start.
“Right now, I would have a slight concern about the squad. I don’t think Celtic now would be strong enough to compete in Europe. If Kyogo’s not bang-on form then I think they lack that kind of alternative striker. I thought Giakoumakis was a great back-up player.
“Oh’s injured, so if Kyogo was also to be forced out then it would be hard to see where the goals would be coming from. A striker and another centre-half would be my priority signings, and I mean guys who can come in and make an impact. Proper centre-forwards score goals and win games, create drama and are match-winners.
“In Brendan’s first spell, he had great attacking threats in Tom Rogic, Patrick Roberts, James Forrest, Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Odsonne Edouard. You don’t see that kind of quality in this squad, just yet. But what they have got is still time to go into the transfer market and buy wisely. I’d rather they bought one or two real good quality players instead of stacking out the squad with four or five you’d be taking a chance on.”
These comments from Commons were actually from last week, ahead of the St Johnstone game at the weekend. On the evidence of that result and performances there is plenty for Brendan Rodgers and the player to be working on at Lennoxtown this week ahead of the trip to Ibrox on Sunday, when of course there will be no away support as the club refused tickets amid ongoing safety concerns – with seven Celtic fans in that corner section having been hit by bottles in previous visits to Ibrox since the allocation was reduced.
The Green Brigade certainly hit the nail on the head with their banner at the weekend which summed up the ticket row perfectly and more important truthfully.
