Celtic’s current transfer model fit for purpose? Part 6 – This transfer window

In the past few days I have been writing articles on The Celtic Star focusing on transfer activity not just involving the current situation at Celtic but also transfers involving some of our more recent former players who are once again on the move after leaving Glasgow in the past year or so. I will be also looking at the wider picture and trying to assimilate whether or not our transfer model is currently failing.

On Monday I focused on the transfer of Nicolas Kuhn to Como, one where I felt we have failed to get as much for a star player as we should have. On Tuesday I looked at how certain players are now worth a lot more after leaving Celtic, even though they haven’t made much of an impression since leaving to pastures new. On Wednesday I looked at a few players who could leave this summer and what kind of price Celtic should be looking for them and on Thursday I delved into how we utilise the loan market. Yesterday I summed up how this current transfer window is going in terms of incomings and outgoings.

How I would like to see the rest of this transfer window pan out versus how I predict it will actually turn out

This brings me on to how I would like to see the rest of this transfer window pan out versus how I predict it will actually turn out in reality. Will we be happy by the time all our business is complete or will we be bemoaning our club for failing to show that little bit of ambition we are all crying out for yet again? So firstly I’ll take a look at the squad and see exactly what we need to bring in and naming the players we could be doing with getting rid of.

Goalkeeper wise we are all sorted, Kasper Schmeichel has signed up for another year and we have great back up with Viljami Sinisalo and the newly recruited Ross Doohan as third choice. In defence we have already seen four departures. Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp at left back, as well as Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke at centre back. It looked almost certain we would be adding Stephen Welsh to that list but after injuring his shoulder against Cork City that could be in doubt.

So with Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston as his deputy at right back we are all covered there. At left back we have Kieran Tierney arriving but with his injury record a good standard left back as his understudy is a must. Inamura looks fine as a future prospect but there is no way I would want him thrown into battle in the likes of a Champions League qualifier if Tierney is out injured. I think a good right sided centre back as understudy to Cameron Carter-Vickers is a must, especially with Nawrocki away. I know Rodgers likes Dane Murray but with his injury record and lack of top level experience I don’t feel like he’s ready to deputise for CCV just yet.

This is a huge summer for Trusty

I would love to see us bring in a top left sided centre back to partner CCV in the middle but after spending £6m on Auston Trusty last season I don’t think its going to happen. This is a huge summer for Trusty. With a full pre season under his belt he needs to prove that he’s worth the money we paid for him. If he doesn’t then Celtic really should be looking to cut our losses on the American come January.

I would be happy for Liam Scales to remain at the club as a back up option in that position. Play the Anthony Ralston role if you like. If we could get in a top left sided centre back our first choice defence with Johnston, CCV and Tierney would be the best in a long time. Come on Celtic prove me wrong and bring one in.

With Engels there’s definitely a player there and we sometimes forget he’s so young

In midfield we have seen no movement so far, and it’s an area I don’t think needs too much tinkering to be done. I think McGregor, Hatate and Engels will be the preferred set up again next season which I would be more than happy with. I think with Engels there’s definitely a player there and we sometimes forget he’s so young. I definitely think he’s one we will see an improvement from this season after getting a full campaign under his belt last term.

I would love to see us push the boat out to get Lennon Miller

The same can be said about Bernardo while I think, like Scales and Ralston, McCowan will do a job as a squad player. I would love to see us push the boat out to get Lennon Miller in, although if no one in that position leaves this summer I doubt we will go all out to pursue the Motherwell man. If not then a combative defence-minded number six should be brought in who could be utilised in European games when we are under the cosh.

Attackers seem to be the players we are most linked too and with Nicholas Kuhn departing, as well as Jota being out long term it’s easy to see why. We have brought in Benjamin Nygren which is a great piece of business but as I have stated in previous articles I have a nagging feeling that he may be Kuhn’s direct replacement meaning only one more winger coming in. I hope I’m wrong because if Maeda is to move to the striking role permanently then we are two top wingers down, three if you count Jota. I am happy enough with Yang and Forrest as back ups but two more high level wingers is a must for me.

If Celtic do sign Shin Yamada then that will conclude our business up front

As I said I think Maeda will remain a striker next season which means if Celtic do sign Shin Yamada then that will conclude our business up front. Maeda backed up by Idah and Yamada with Osmand as one for the future. I would be happy enough with that.

So for me the absolute priorities are two first team ready wingers and a couple of good standard back ups for Tierney at left back and CCV at right centre back. In a perfect world I would love to see us bring in a top left centre back which would create the best defence since the Martin O’Neill days. Another top level operator in the midfield would also be a great addition, especially for Europe but unfortunately I don’t see it.

Outgoings wise there are a few we could be doing with shifting on this summer

Outgoings wise there are a few we could be doing with shifting on this summer. Luis Palma, Hyeon Kyu Kwon and Odin Thiago Holm are the obvious ones. Nothing in their time at Celtic or during their loan spells leads me to believe they have anything to offer Celtic in the future. As I mentioned earlier I hope the injury to Stephen Welsh doesn’t scupper his chances of a move, one that is in the best interests for both us and the player who needs to kick start his career somewhere where he will play regularly.

There is also Marco Tillo, who maybe still has a slight chance to make an impression but it’s imperative he does it this summer otherwise he will also be surplus to requirements. Johnny Kenny is the last fringe player I can think of that probably won’t make any headway into the first team next season. I fully believe we should find him a loan deal with someone who plays a good brand of football at a decent level and see if he flourishes. I refuse to give up hope on him just yet.

The most important thing this summer however is making sure that Nicholas Kuhn is the last star player who leaves. If Celtic let the likes of Maeda, Hatate or Carter-Vickers leave it will show a serious lack of ambition. None of this trio seem like they are desperate to move on the way Kuhn was so their departures would not be forgiven. If we have any aspirations to improve in Europe it is vital we retain the services of these three.

I’m perplexed by the lack of movement on a new contract for Maeda

I’m perplexed by the lack of movement on a new contract for Maeda. He has more than proved he deserves pay parity with our top earners so offer him want he deserves, get him tied down and watch him earn every penny of his pay rise week after week. The man is absolutely invaluable to Celtic.

Tomorrow I will round up the series with a look at the future and what we can expect in terms of our transfer strategy moving forward beyond this window.

Conall McGinty

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