The recent encounters in Alkmaar and at Ibrox have highlighted a midfield concern for Celtic. In home games against lesser lights the two midfielders tasked with filling the two midfield ‘eight’ slots, ahead of Callum McGregor playing as the pivot have been filled by David Turnbull and Tom Rogic.
Prior to the Europa League play-off in the Netherlands, we pointed out the defensive responsibility that lay with both players ahead of that tie (see below).
READ THIS…AZ Alkmaar v Celtic – Why Rogic and Turnbull must add responsibility to their attacking endeavours
Unfortunately in that game those concerns were evident. Although both Rogic and Turnbull are creative forces of note for Celtic, in the bigger encounters particularly away from home the defensive discipline that comes with both roles was missing from both players.
For Turnbull that was further highlighted with a performance against theRangers that evidenced little defensive cover for his captain and sadly appeared to impact on any ability to create much at Ibrox in Sunday’s narrow Derby defeat.
Sunday’s game in which Rogic was dropped to the bench to facilitate the use of Ryan Christie in a central midfield role was further evidence that the Alkmaar game showed Ange Postecoglou that energy, endeavour and an ability to go box to box was needed and that perhaps he could facilitate one of Rogic and Turnbull away from home against a higher standard of opponent but not both. Now following Ibrox, those concerns must now have spread to Turnbull’s defensive capabilities as well.
Celtic have long been linked with St Johnstone’s Ali McCann, a talent with the profile to fit as a player capable of playing a box-to-box role and one, if necessary, who could also fill in when required at number six.
The need for further reinforcements in midfield is about to become acute at Celtic with Ryan Christie expected to leave and the only replacement mooted so far as being Filipe Jota from Benfica on a yearlong loan. Even if that deal is concluded, Jota can replace Christie as a left sided attacker but as an out and out left winger it is unlikely there would be a fit for someone to deputise in the centre of midfield.
As such the purchase of Ali McCann would certainly fit the bill. McCann has evidenced a capability to shine in the Scottish Premiership and is also a domestic double winner of the domestic cup competitions. Any concerns as to whether the player could transfer that to a higher level have been dispelled by excellent international performances for Northern Ireland and against European opposition, particularly that performance against Galatasaray.
Celtic have scouted the player extensively over the last year and yesterday made enquiries as to the player’s availability. Strangely, despite a long-term interest that approach only appears to have been made more firm following an interest from a City rival. However, the Belfast Telegraph is today stating a £3m price tag has put the Hoops hierarchy off somewhat.
Let’s hope that is little more than paper talk and that Celtic are aware of the need for central midfield reinforcements and that Ali McCann fits the bill. £3m seems a fair enough price for a player very much heading on an upward career trajectory and in a position where Celtic require some positional nous to support the creative styles of both Turnbull and Rogic. St Johnstone’s loan signing of former Hamilton Accies midfielder Ali Crawford would indicate the Perth Saints may well be in a position to cash with cover now in place.
At present Celtic’s two ‘eights’ are being played by players possibly more suited to playing as number 10’s. Celtic may get away with that, and then some, against the likes of Dundee and St Mirren at home, but recent away performances indicate Callum McGregor could do with a little more help than he’s getting at the moment. Ali McCann fits the bill as someone who could do just that.
We’ve been here once before when it came to quibbling over transfer fees for Scottish midfielders around the £3m mark. Let’s hope we’re not going to make the same mistake again with Ali McCann or indeed we repent at leisure as the player plies his trade in the EPL and his value sky rockets.
Niall J
Terrible journalism again.
John McGinn was the one who decided to choose Villa over Celtic.
Celtic matched Villa’s fee and the choice was then down to the player.
That’s simply re-writing history Joe on your part. Rodgers went to McGinn’s home at the end of the previous season and promised he’d sign him for Celtic but Lawwell tried to play hardball with Hibs and with no other buyers in the offing he thought he had a winning hand. But Villa got some investment and after MONTHS of waiting For Celtic, McGinn decided to go to England. That’s what happened.
My goodness, how easily you are proven to be making up this anti celtic board stuff. McCann signed for Preston NE for £1.2m, really surprised that you have not deleted the post.
How is that better that’s worse.
He left for 1.2 million, so they baulked at that.
Doesn’t mean that was the price quoted. Enquiry was made but no bid. Preston nipped in at the last minute to secure a bargain deal. St Johnstone had to sell given McCann had a year to go on his deal.
Could not agree more. This is exactly what we are going to do here. Piss about and lick our wounds later. Same with Nisbet from hibs
What a load of rubbish, Ali McCann £3m, where do you get this over inflated valuation. He was sold for less tha 1m to Preston, get your facts right and stop writing rubbish.