RUDI VATA, the current guest on The Celtic Star Podcast – have a listen, it’s a cracker – reckons that Celtic should be looking for an experienced central defender this summer if they are to solve their European leakage problems.
“Celtic do need a top defender — 100 per cent. Since Virgil van Dijk left, they haven’t had someone with that kind of personality who can command the backline and give you a presence.
“Van Dijk was a big hit and a top player. Not only was he excellent at the back, he was taking free-kicks and he was good in forward situations.
“Celtic need to find another like van Dijk and I’d imagine, if they do the right scouting, they can find one somewhere in Europe.
“In leagues like Holland or Belgium, there will be some quality — and those are countries where they don’t need to spend big money.
“Celtic have done it in the past and I don’t see why they won’t be able to do it again.
“Ajer is a good player and is going to have a great future. He’s playing so well with his national team now — he’s playing full games and I watched him against Albania.
“He’s growing up as a player and he’ll develop into a top player for Celtic and Norway. But he needs someone beside him with experience to make him better. That has to be the priority for Celtic right now.
“Jozo Simunovic has had his injury problems which have stopped him growing into the game in Scotland. I don’t know about his general health situation. I believe that he’s a good footballer, but for me he’s a little bit quiet.
“Celtic need someone who’s hard with the presence to command the line. When you look at Celtic’s results and the trophies they have won, they are without doubt the best team in Scotland.
“But when it comes to Europe, it’s obviously a different ball game.
“Celtic aren’t able to compete at the top level there and they need some big names to go and play for them. If that happens, they wouldn’t be far away because the fans are there. No one can compete with them.
“Celtic can beat any team and win any trophy in Scotland, but I’d also love to see them doing well in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers has all the ability in the world to make Celtic a big force in Europe, but it’s a question of finding those two or three top players to make that stage.
“But mentally, something just isn’t there.
“Celtic are a massive club. Look at a side like Red Bull Salzburg in Austria — they’re not a better team and don’t have better players than Celtic.
“The way the preparation is or the organisation is looks as though it needs to be different for Europe.
“European football is where Celtic have to aim to get with the best.
“It would be nice to see a new Henrik Larsson at Celtic or a new Lubo Moravcik.
It’s a big club, but I know it’s not an easy task to succeed there. You need to find the right characters with the right attitude and the right talent.
“Celtic are playing their cards right financially. They’re secure and strong. But I’d love to see the club doing what Martin O’Neill did and going on a good European run.”
