CHRIS SUTTON insists Celtic may have to spend £50MILLION in bringing in quality recruits as they revamp the squad for the new season.
The former Hoops goal hero reckons Martin O’Neill needs such a massive sum as he prepares his side in their quest for a sixth successive title while competing in the Champions League.
The Parkhead club may lose key players such as Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate while there is speculation surrounding Alistair Johnston and Benjamin Nygren following their performances in the World Cup Finals for Canada and Sweden respectively.
HAPPY BHOY…Camilo Duran is on his way to Celtic.
Colombian striker Camilo Duran is on his way from Qarabag in a £3million deal which could rise to £5million with performance-related add-ons.
But that move will just get the ball rolling as the champions prepare for a monumental squad overhaul.
Already six loanees have returned to their parent clubs – Julian Araujo (Bournemouth), Marcelo Saracchi (Boca Juniors), Benjamin Arthur (Brentford), Tomas Cvancara (Borussia Monchengladbach), Junior Adamu (SC Freiburg, now Schalke) and Joel Mvuka (Lorient).
Kasper Schmeichel has been forced to retire with a shoulder injury which makes another goalkeeper a priority to challenge Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan who shared duties in each half in the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne in Dublin last night.
Looking at the overall situation, Sutton said: “Martin worked wonders last season. I didn’t see Celtic winning the title from the position which he was put in on a couple of occasions.
“I mean, the run towards the end of the season was extraordinary, but I still think you can’t get away from the fact there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment.
FINAL FLING…Daizen Maeda may have made his last Celtic appearance in the 3-1 Scottish Cup triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden in May.
“They’ve got the Champions League qualifier which is really important and, however exciting it was for Celtic fans to end up getting over the line last season, you can’t get away from the fact that Celtic struggled at times throughout the season.
“I’m sure Martin will be looking to bring players in.”
Sutton, speaking to Sky Sports News, added: “It’ll be interesting to see who goes out from Celtic.
“It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, but they’re big players for the team.
“Who are Celtic going to replace those type of players with?
“Celtic are possibly going to have to spend up to or more than £50million really because the squad does need a rebuild.”
Watch this space!
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