With the winter break now upon us, thoughts inevitably turn to the transfer window opening and a strengthening of the squad ahead of a genuine title push in the new year. For new CEO Michael Nicholson it will be the first test of his mettle.
Yokohama Marinos forward Daizen Maeda appears to be the strongest link so far with unsubstantiated rumours a medical may already have been completed. Meanwhile other recruits from the J League market are being considered.
One such player is Kawasaki Frontale’s utility player Reo Hatate, a hoped-for addition in the number eight role and with enough versatility to his game he can also be deployed as both a winger and even as an emergency full back. With Hatate’s contract apparently expiring at the end of next month there may well be scope on that deal having a limited impact on the transfer budget, wages aside.
Yosuke Ideguchi of Gamba Osaka also had been heavily linked, though it appears to have quietened down somewhat on that one of late. However, at a reported fee of less than a million, with his energetic disposition, the idea of Ideguchi playing, or even rotating, as a number six, allowing Callum McGregor both an opportunity to drop out the team occasionally, or indeed play a more advanced role, the combative midfielder, is a player Celtic I’d hope haven’t cooled their interest in.
There is an element of risk with Ideguchi, having failed to settle at Leeds United but there was a great deal of mitigation for the player in that spell, and although not a flamboyant performer he certainly looks an ideal fit for a deep lying playmaker role in and Ange Postecoglou system.
With Ange Postecoglou’s knowledge of the Japanese market and his reputation still sharply in focus there, it could and indeed should be the time to strike while the iron is hot.
With Kyogo Furuhashi blazing the trail and being an unqualified success to date, the exposure Celtic can offer young Japanese talent and the improvement in players Postecoglou is renowned for, allied to a showcasing of talents in European football and a well-trodden path to the English Premier League, a move to Celtic at this time is something any player’s representative would surely consider recommending to his client.
If any of this happens it will be down to Celtic’s recently confirmed CEO Michael Nicholson to earn his transfer window stripes.
As an internal appointment after the fanfare of an external candidate in 72-day former CEO Dominic McKay – yes that did happen despite the attempts to rewrite history at the recent AGM – Nicholson immediately comes with a honeymoon period completed during his ‘temporary’ tenure and no little suspicion.
With a background in Law, the questions over his ability to modernise the club are understandable. As are his connections to a Celtic Board who had overseen the previous demise of a squad of players capable of winning a Quadruple Treble, dwindle to the point a complete rebuild was required.
That lack of care and attention would normally cause a board to consider their positions, instead Dominic McKay was fed to the lions, while those responsible for the shambolic management of the key assets of the club were found wanting, yet remain in position and apparently surprised at a lack of praise, if the AGM performance was anything to go by.
However, Nicholson’s first task is to back the manager, get deals done and start to show someone at the club realises just how far the standard of player had dropped, but that luck is on their side with a manager who appears to have a Midas touch.
The ‘new’ man then could go a long way to forging his own reputation by getting business done early, as the manager has publicly stated is his wish. With the J League already in its close season, there is little reason for the groundwork on deals not already to have been laid and ready for completion when the January window opens.
These particular deals should be easy pickings and as such quick wins for Celtic’s CEO. Ange has the reputation, Kyogo has made the move appealing, and the players mentioned at least have seemed keen from media reports. An early start to proceedings would show Celtic mean business, worry a title rival who is financially hamstrung and send a message Celtic are backing a manager to bring home the league title.
This is not the time for procrastination, or as in the summer appearing to back the manager but in reality, delaying deals until others are sold.
This is the time for concluding deals early and showing the manager, despite the shell of supporting structure he has to work within, we do at least trust his judgement and are willing to evidence that certitude.
How we manage this transfer window, and in turn how Ange negotiates the months that follow, could result in the returning of a League title we appallingly surrendered through squad mismanagement, and automatic Champions League football and some £35-40m being guaranteed.
An outlay of under 15% of that sum on three players from Japan seems a reasonable gamble to take at any time, yet that gamble is mitigated further when the man requesting such backing has already shown his worth.
It is now down to Michael Nicholson to realise the hitherto avoidance of speculation leading to accumulation, in this instance, is worth reassessing. It is time to grab the low hanging fruit, claim those quick wins, and get the tenure of the new CEO off to the kind of start we’ve seen from the manager. Three players from Japan would set the tone.
Niall J
I’m sure Ange hasn’t been slow in putting his views regarding these players,to MN and the board.However,could we arrange for bionic hamstring transplants for all new signings?