DURAN JUST ‘FIRST PIECE OF THE JIGSAW,’ INSISTS SUTTON

CHRIS SUTTON has welcomed new Bhoy Camilo Duran to Celtic following the completion of his £5.5million switch from Qarabag.

After a few days of will-he-or-won’t-he, the anxiety among the Hoops fans eased when the club eventually announced the signing of the 24-year-old Colombian striker, as CQN reported yesterday.

Former goal hero Sutton is hopeful Duran is merely the first of many because “there’s still so much work to be done.”

Martin O’Neill turned the clock back 26 years as he landed one of his priority targets.

Coincidentally, Sutton was signed on the same date in July 2000 as the Irishman’s first recruit at Parkhead as he rebuilt the squad following his arrival from Leicester City to take over from interim gaffer Kenny Dalglish.

CHEERS…Celtic new Bhoy Camilo Duran celebrates one of his five Champions League goals for Qarabag last season.

O’Neill paid £6million to Chelsea for the one-time England international as a direct replacement for Mark Viduka who had moved to Leeds United for an identical fee.

Now Duran has been added for a similar fee – an initial £3million with add-ons that could rise to £5.5million – and Sutton reckons the recruit will prove to be a good buy for his old club.

He said: “I actually saw him up close when he scored against Newcastle in the Champions League last season. From what I’ve seen, he looks like a promising addition.

“He’s quick, makes clever runs and he’s already shown he’s got an eye for goal on the European stage. It’s a big positive that Celtic are finally getting someone through the door.

“But let’s not kid ourselves, either. Duran has to be the first of many this summer.

“Last year’s mistakes are still fresh in everyone’s minds and fans won’t accept the club sleepwalking into another Champions League qualifier undercooked. There was so much unrest after crashing out to Kairat Almaty and nobody wants that to happen again.

“Hopefully, by the time that £40million play-off comes around, Duran will have settled alongside some other new faces. It’s important he gets bedded in and develops that understanding with his new team-mates.

£12MILLION DOUBLE-ACT…Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon, who each cost £6million in 2000, celebrate another Celtic triumph.

“Way back in 2000, I arrived for the same price tag with something to prove after a poor year at Stamford Bridge. But I’d still won a Premier League title and the Golden Boot before that.

“Football has changed since then and Duran is coming from a different market altogether.”

Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “The days of Celtic signing established Premier League players like Martin did with me, Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon are long gone. You don’t get the finished article for £6million these days.

“You’re buying someone you hope develops into a £20million player. That’s the market Celtic operate in now.

“There’s always going to be an element of risk, but Duran scored five goals in the Champions League last season and Qarabag were no mugs in Europe.

“So that gives you optimism, but the attacking position remains fascinating because so much depends on what happens with Daizen Maeda.

“Martin called him Larssonesque towards the end of last season and that’s about as big a compliment as you can give anyone. He was sensational. If Maeda stays, suddenly Celtic are pretty well catered for in that area.

HAPPY DAZE…Daizen Maeda enjoys another crucial strike for the champions.

“I hope the Japan star doesn’t leave and he’s not the type to throw his toys out of the pram. But if he does move on, he leaves one hell of a void at the top end of the park.

“I know Martin wants to bring back Kelechi Iheanacho and without his matchwinning cameos from the bench, Celtic wouldn’t have won the league. Fitness was always his biggest issue.

“Martin clearly felt he couldn’t trust him to play longer and that’s something that has to improve if he’s going to have a bigger role this season.

“Callum Osmand is another interesting one. He had that iconic moment on the final day against Hearts and he’ll never forget that.

“But let’s be realistic, he hasn’t played much senior football and young players need patience. He clearly has potential, but nobody should expect him to suddenly carry Celtic’s attack.

“Martin will want options because Celtic have to fight on multiple fronts. Then there are the futures of players such as Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada.”

Sutton added: “Time is ticking. Flag Day is only three weeks away and that massive Champions League play-off is just 38 days from now.

CUP THAT CHEERS…Martin O’Neill holds aloft the Scottish Cup as Celtic seal the silverware double after the 3-1 win over Dunfermline at Hampden on May 23.

“Supporters don’t want another summer where the manager is left scrambling for players at the last minute. We’ve seen it all too often.

“And neither do the players. Footballers love seeing new signings arrive because it raises standards in training and keeps everyone on their toes.

“Martin also deserves serious financial backing.

“I know Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and Brian Wilson were in the stands in Dublin on Tuesday night.

“I’d be stunned if, when he signed his new contract, Martin didn’t make it crystal clear what he felt this squad needed. I’m sure he would have had a clear plan.

“Otherwise, why would he have risked doing another year?

“Managers are always strongest when they first agree on a new deal. You’d imagine he would have wanted assurances. I’d be absolutely shocked if he didn’t.

“Ultimately, the board need to show they have learned from last year.

Expectations are high. People want to see Celtic competing again in the Champions League.

“Duran looks like a good player on paper and it’s encouraging to finally see Celtic open the chequebook.

“But, just like I was, the Colombian is only the first piece of the jigsaw and there’s still so much work to be done.”