DAVIE HAY reckons Brendan Rodgers has continued to make sure Celtic are the real deal after his excellent work in the summer transfer market.
The Hoops legend insists the manager will reap the rewards in the coming months as the season gathers momentum.
In another CQN EXCLUSIVE series, the club great, now 76, reveals all as he speaks to Alex Gordon, who co-authored the former player and manager’s best-selling autobiography, ‘The Quiet Assassin‘.
Hay said: “Understandably, the focus of attention in Brendan Rodgers’ summer transfer dealings has been £11million record purchase Arne Engels.
READ ALL ABOUT…Davie Hay in Paradise with his autobiography, ‘The Quiet Assassin’, co-authored by writer and friend Alex Gordon.
“I made my feelings clear about what I thought of the Belgian playmaker’s qualities in CQN yesterday and I do believe he will turn out to be a bargain.
“Six others were recruited on a permanent basis – and one on loan – during a fairly busy window as the manager strengthened areas in his squad that had caused a bit of concern.
“It was obvious there was a lack of cover for Greg Taylor and Liam Scales and that prompted Brendan to bring in Barcelona youngster Alex Valle on a temporary switch and USA international Auston Trusty in a £6million move from Sheffield United.
“It’s too early to evaluate either of the left-sided defenders after just one start each, but if they thought they were being eased into the rigours of Scottish football with appearances against Championship outfit Falkirk at the weekend they were both given a wake-up call.
“Alfredo Agyeman, playing wide right for the visitors, was well up for the challenge and the Spaniard looked uncomfortable with the strong running of his direct opponent.
IT TAKES TWO…Callum McGregor congratulates new Bhoy Luke McCowan after his first Celtic goal in the 2-0 win over Hearts at Parkhead.
“I doubt if it had been in the manager’s plans to bring on Taylor in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final, but he turned to his tried and trusted No.3 just after the hour mark to make an introduction to proceedings.
“Celtic, remarkably, were trailing 2-1 at the time and the Scotland international, as well as Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Yang Hyun-jun, were thrown on to change the course of the game and, thankfully, all four played their part in an eventual 5-2 victory.
“It was a bit too close for comfort, but you can be certain the new Bhoys will have learned a lession early in their Hoops careers.
“Unfortunately, Luke McCowan was left on the sidelines after being Cup-tied at Dundee earlier in the tournament. This would have been an ideal platform for him to show us all what he can contribute in the weeks and years ahead.
“The Celtic support have already taken to the hard-working left-sided performer and it helps that the lad from Greenock is clearly “one of their own”, as they say.
“I like the look of Luke. There’s obviously a bit of true grit in the player who is a late bloomer after years at Ayr United and Dens Park before turning up at his personal field of dreams at the age of 26.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers welcomes back Paulo Bernardo after his £3.5million permanent move from Benfica in the summer.
“He has already claimed his first Hoops goal – the second in the 2-0 win over Hearts – and he was rightly applauded for the way he whipped a left-foot shot past Craig Gordon from just outside the box.
“What a lot of people may have missed was his part in the build-up to the strike. He collected a defensive header from Callum McGregor deep in his own half and worked a quick one-two with Paulo Bernardo.
“He then played the ball inside to Big Adam, took the return and moved it onto Luis Palma who carried it across the pitch to the right before sliding a pass to James Forrest.
“The evergreen winger brought it inside, picked out Luke and the new Bhoy took a touch before lashing the ball goalwards. It took a nudge off Craig’s right glove before crossing the line.
“That’s the sort of goal that has every manager in the game purring with delight. It’s just about perfect.
“Paulo Bernardo played a part in the creation of the strike and I have to say the Portuguese playmaker has all the ingredients required to be a hit at the champions.
“He was a slow burner when he first arrived on loan from Benfica last summer, but he picked up the pace and, of course, he got the ball rolling with a masterful volley in Celtic’s vital 2-1 win over Rangers just before the turn of the year.
“That would have boosted the confidence of the lad and I thought he was outstanding in the recent 3-0 derby success before he made way for Engels in the second-half.
“With the high tempo at which the team performs every match day it will take its toll on players as the campaign rolls on, so Brendan will need options in the middle of the park.
“McCowan and Bernardo, at a joint cost of only £4.5million, will undoubtedly pay their way alongside skipper Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Engels.
“We know what we will get from Adam Idah after his exploits on loan from Norwich City during his short-term loan last term.
HAIL, HAIL…Adam Idah accepts the cheers of the Celtic fans after scoring the Scottish Cup winner against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden on May 25.
“He scored nine goals in 19 appearances and that marked him down as a “priority” signing for the manager. A fee of £9.5million for a player who was not a regular first pick at the English second-tier club does seem a bit steep.
“At the of 23, though, he has time on his side to show he is worth every penny of that transfer.
“Kasper Schmeichel, too, is well-known to us all with his exploits over the years for the Danish international team and Leicester City. He will be a more than suitable replacement for Joe Hart.
“Viljami Sinisalo also arrived in a £1million switch from Aston Villa as back-up keeper for Kasper and he is a bit of an unknown quantity. No doubt Brendan will carefully select his outings and the Finnish international is certainly one for the future.
“Even this early in the season, I think my old club have done exceptionally well in their transfer wheeling and dealing.
“Time will tell, of course, but I’m confident these guys will produce for Celtic.”
*TOMORROW: Don’t miss Day Six of club legend Davie Hay’s EXCLUSIVE look at Celtic – only in your champion CQN.
