The summer transfer window is yet to properly kick into high gear - only officially opening on June 14th - yet that has not stopped teams from up and down the country snagging new acquisitions from around the world.
Rangers have been busy boys early in the window adding 5 new additions; ranging from Motherwellnumber one Liam Kelly, to Moroccan goal-getterHamzaIgamane. However, their old firm counterparts have only made one signing -Kasper Schmeichel- with the departure of Sead HaksabanovictoMalmothe only notable sell. But what about the other clubs in the 42? What are the more lesser known acquisitions around Scotland and how do they influence the teams they have signed for.
While we are at it, lets cause some controversy by giving each club a lettered grade (or a N/A if no signings have been made) as well as analysis on how the signings will fit each club. This is part two of a forty-two part series where I look at every single club in Scotlands top 4 leagues.
Today we will look at Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.
Celtic
Incomings -
Kasper Schmeichel - Anderlecht (All but confirmed)
Outgoings -
Sead Haksabanovic - Malmo: £2m
Joe Hart - BBC sport: retired
Oh - Genk: £4.2m (Yet to be confirmed)
Where are the signings?
Its more than fair to say that Celtic have had a quiet window. Only one signing and it’s a 37 year old goalkeeper. Granted Kasper Schmeichel brings a wealth of experience to Parkhead but he has two years at the most left in professional football. It’s a signing that feels pointless long term. There’s no real vision looking forward more just reinforcing the position for at the most two years. It’s not a signing that in any way fits with the timeline of the sides core. The squads average age is 25. So why wouldn’t you get a keeper around this age (or even a few years older?). Is Schmeichel a bad keeper? No. Is he an upgrade on Joe Hart? Yes. Could they have gotten someone younger -a potentially more risky signing - with some capacity to be sold on in the future? Yes. Celtic could have persuaded someone like Caoimhin Kelleher or, and don’t crucify me here, Kepa Arrizabalaga. I guarantee you Chelsea are more than willing to sell there 3rd choice keeper who, while he has his off-days, is only 29 and coming into the peak of his career. It feels once again that Celtics recruitment has no real plan, haphazardly throwing signings around hoping that some stick.
Sign a striker!
The loan signing of Adam Idah, proved vital in Celtic picking up another Premiership title, bagging 8 goals in 15 games or 1.19 goals per 90’. Signing Idah permanently has to be a priority for Celtic. With Oh set to move to Genk in Belgium, the funds are most definitely there for Celtic to land their man. Reports vary around the price required for the Irish international, but I would guess around 6 million would seal the deal. Is that a good deal for Celtic… probably. He is a proven fit around Celtic and Brendan Rodgers system, but he is an infamously patchy striker, often going red hot, like at Celtic, and then ice cold, 6 goals in 28 matches at Norwich before his move to Celtic. Bhoys fans will be hoping he has found his permanent spark at his potential new permanent home in Glasgow.
Midfield Conundrum
Matt O’Riley seems set to leave Parkhead. The main question is to who, when, and for how much. A transfer war has started between Atalanta in Italy and Southampton and Everton in England. Celtic have already rejected a bid - around €15 million - from Atalanta, but it is expected for ‘La Dea’ to make an improved second offer. It’s believed Celtic want a club record bid before they would consider selling the Danish international. Whether they get that amount this summer or next (my head tells me next summer) remains to be seen.
Celtic are also believed to be keen on brining back Paulo Bernardo after a successful loan spell last season. The 22 year old bagged 3 goals and notched 3 assists in 19 games, but really started to thrive towards the end of the season. According to Football Scotland, Celtic have tabled £3.5m + add ons to try reunite the Portuguese midfielder at Parkhead. I like Bernardo quite a bit. He’s clearly a player with bags of potential: he just desperately needs game time. If Rodgers can offer that to the U21 international, then he could thrive in the Celtic system. He is also clearly a big game player, bagging against Rangers in the Old Firm last season.
Celtics XI next year as it stands
Evaluation
I personally think Celtic have done little in the transfer window. That is probably seen in the article as I talk mostly about rumours, granted rumours of transfers I would say are likely to happen. That being said I can only go off the now and Schmeichel and Oh seem like almost done deals. Deals for Bernardo and Idah still feel a way away even if they will eventually get over the line. Like Aberdeen, Celtic have managed to retain there star man - for now. Whether O’Riley is at Parkhead come August 31 firmly remains to be seen. It is very difficult to grade a team who have done next to nothing in the window.
