We’ve a really striking issue ahead at Celtic and it will need to be addressed in January. It will be the first big test for new Director of Football Operations Nick Hammond. It will be very interesting to see how this one gets handled.
News from yesterday’s press conference that Celtic are currently plodding along with only one available out and out goal scorer raised obvious concerns, it was even enough for Neil Lennon to hint that a new striker may on his list of January priorities.
So will it be on the ‘To do’ list for Nick Hammond and will the purse string be loosened by Peter Lawwell?
It will be the first real test of the new structure to see if we are planning ahead. Have we changed course now or are we beating the same old drum. Proactive or Reactive?
It is very tempting and indeed common for Celtic to think everything will work out, but will it?
Odsonne Edouard is currently the only choice to fill the one striker’s role at Parkhead. There is no doubting he is our number one man in any case so the fact it is him that’s fit and others that are unavailable for selection is at least positive news, but there is a couple of thing we really need to consider and plan to negate.
Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Bayo are the backup strikers and neither seem to be players we can currently feel confident they can be counted on 100%.
Griffiths himself has recovered admirably to date from his time away from the club with mental health problems. He returned to play a supporting role at the start of the season but he soon fell out of favour and dropped to third choice striker behind Bayo, or at least that’s how it looked as Bayo seemed ahead in the pecking order when Edouard needed a break. Griffiths then succumbed to injury and illness as reports from Lenny indicated a thigh strain and a virus.
The long and short of it is we have a player who hasn’t played for the Celtic first team since the 25th August. A two month hiatus on the back of his long term absence raises questions as to whether he can be relied upon to be there when Eddie is out of form or needs his limbs rested.
Then there is the enigma that is Vakoun Bayo. Is there any Celtic fan out there that knows if this kid is really any good? The Ivorian has now been at the club 8 months. He’s been unlucky with injuries and he certainly brings a physical presence to the side we don’t have but the long and short of it is he’s just not at his work enough.
Whenever he gets going and gets a chance to shine another injury arises. You can point to that Hearts 3-1 win in August as a sign there could well be a player in there, but recent sub performances have been uninspiring to say the least. His injury record also indicates reliability and availability when needed can be seriously questioned.
And then there is Odsonne Edouard. The media seem to be in overdrive regarding potential suitors from the glamour of France and Italy. Our Europa League opponents Lazio seemed very keen, though why he’d join that lot would be politically questionable. That however would be a decision for the boy himself.
Either way there is interest, and going by the amount of media speculation I’m not convinced the board aren’t at least encouraging the debate, in some way paving the way to an exit. Could that be in January? Who knows but it’s a possibility and such we’re back to Nick Hammond, Peter Lawell and future proofing the Celtic squad.
Even if Edouard stays for now he’ll be surely on his way soon enough. That’s not negativity is it? No it’s the fact reality really does bite when it comes to Celtic Board and expensive sales opportunities. It’s a view borne of bitter experience.
So we need to be planning now for Eddie’s possible exit and not chasing a striker for as long as we sought a right back. Another summer of delayed action only leads to Champions league angst. We’ve also seen that film on far too many occasions not to know how it ends well before the credits roll. If we’re going to address it let’s have the player lined up and brought it in January.
Right now we need reliable cover for Edouard. Griffiths and Bayo cannot be counted on for now without and real expectation they can deliver week in week out.
Jonathan Afolabi has done well in development games but it would be a real push to assume he can step up and fill the supporting striker role long term. He’s a young lad and that undoubted talent will need to be managed correctly. Too much exposure short term could have a detrimental effect on body and mind.
With Neil Lennon issuing the first murmurings of what will be needed in January it’s time to see if this new structure is really designed to back their man.
Nick Hammond will now have to come up with that supporting striker now and he may well have to get that main man targeted and talked into joining Celtic while French Eddie remains in post. Something I’m sure will have to be broken to Peter Lawwell when he’s sitting down.
Two strikers in before the others are out? It would be an idea that could have brought Peter out in a cold sweat. Now we have Nick Hammond will things now be different?
The sale of Odsonne Edouard it would appear is sadly imminent. Even if the conclusion to that deal runs until the summer rather than January, it will happen and we need to be planning now. No more gambling. This team deserves a fair chance at Champions League qualification to show just how good it can be. Lennon shouldn’t be hamstrung by hesitancy above him.
The January window will see just how much has changed with Celtic’s recruitment. It has been found seriously wanting when it comes to planning for the long term prior to a Head of Football Operations being appointed. It will be an interesting insight into Hammond’s role to see how he approaches the striking problem up front.
Proactive or reactive Celtic? Neil Lennon is now asking you that question.
Niall J
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