Chris Sutton has emphasised the significance of ‘Football Doctor’ Paul Tisdale’s contribution at Celtic as the summer transfer window approaches…
The self-proclaimed ‘football doctor’
The self-proclaimed ‘football doctor’ took on a senior position at Celtic Park in October last year, assuming control of the club’s football operations. Tisdale tends to stay out of the spotlight, focusing his efforts on Celtic’s academy, first team, and especially recruitment.
Transfers, both incomings and outgoings, are always a major discussion for every club, and Sutton believes Tisdale must begin preparing for the summer ahead.
In his Daily Record column, Chris Sutton said: Celtic are in a superb position in that they pretty much know the title is in the bag. That means the Champions League planning has to be happening now. Who knows what kind of backing (the)Rangers will get from the 49ers as well.
Recruitment hasn’t been up to scratch
“Celtic brought in Paul Tisdale to sort out the recruitment after Rodgers admitted in recent years it hasn’t been up to scratch. Well, now we’ll find out what the football doctor is all about. Rodgers has his work cut out to achieve again next season – and it will be far from easy.”
It is still uncertain where Celtic will focus their efforts to strengthen the squad this summer. Kieran Tierney is rejoining the club after signing a pre-contract in January, bolstering the left-back position right away.
Celtic face an August Champions League play-off
Rodgers’ side will most certainly face a season-defining Champions League play-off tie in August, while the Celtic manager considers possible new signings. There are also rumours of a few summer departures, most notably Nicolas Kuhn and Cameron Carter-Vickers, with Brendan Rodgers doing all he can to retain the services of both key performers.
Celtic looked weak in midfield against theRangers with Callum McGregor and Paulo Bernardo missing. That’s another issue for the Celtic manager and his ‘doctor’ to sort and there’s also the matter of the striker to replace Kyogo who left in January.
Will Daizen Maeda get the nod?
The Japanese striker seems to be surplus to requirements at Rennes but a return to Celtic Park for the 30 year-old seems unlikely to say the least. While Celtic spend on a replacement of will Daizen Maeda get the nod with Adam Idah retaining his spot as back-up?
Plenty of matter for the Celtic bosses to consider and the support will be looking for the squad to be strengthened so that the next level in the Champions League can be reached.
Conor Spence
Before any identification can even be considered, then a decision will have to be taken, as to whether the team shape/style remains the same or change?
Possibly the role of Calmac has to be considered first, as to whether we need a proper defensive holding midfielder within the team, or sticking with the ball playing midfield player that Calmac operates as?
Even more so, when our team has evolved around Calmac and his role and position as captain within our team?
Already potentially looking at a suitable backup option already, so more rotation can be applied for Calmac, especially as the amount of minutes he’s expected to play, is starting to catch up with him at the back end of a season these days?