NEW Bhoys Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, £17million worth of investment, could present Martin O’Neill with a problem in the new season.
Former Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton wonders how his old boss will fit the Dane and the Colombian into his attacking formation.
For much of last season, Daizen Maeda led the frontline, but the 74-year-old gaffer will not be able to avail themselves of the skills of the jet-heeled Japanese raider when the champions get their quest for a sixth successive title underway on Monday evening when Dundee provide the opposition at Parkhead.
The World Cup hitman has, of course, joined Ipswich Town in a £10million deal after four-and-a-half years’ sterling service in the east end of Glasgow.
IT TAKES TWO…Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson line up for Celtic.
O’Neill was partial to teaming up Sutton with Henrik Larsson in his first stint at the club when he quit Leicester City to join his boyhood heroes in June 2000. John Hartson, too, was utilised alongside the Swedish legend.
Just a month after the Irishman’s appointment, his first-ever purchase for the club was the one-time England international forward at £6million from Chelsea who replaced Leeds United-bound Mark Viduka.
Sutton said: “The arrival of Kasper Hogh has appeased the fans in the short term and he does look like a quality addition.
“I liked what I saw of him in the Champions League last season and I’ve also been impressed with Camilo Duran.
“It’s about fitting them both in the team for Martin O’Neill. Will he go back to his old favourite 3-5-2 formation? Or could we see a return to a 4-4-2?
“I’d be on board with that one, but the problems are elsewhere.
THREE CHEERS…Camilo Duran celebrates scoring against AC Milan, the Colombian hitman’s third successive goal since joining Celtic.
“In that set-up, you need legs in midfield, but right now you’re looking at two 33-year-olds in Callum McGregor and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plus Benjamin Nygren, who isn’t exactly a ball-winner.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “You have to think Reo Hatate will be going, along with Paulo Bernardo.
‘Mike Baur could boost the numbers, but Celtic can’t hang about. There are also concerns in the wide areas.
“Hogh and Duran have got goals in them, but they will need service. Right now it’s Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha on the left, with Yang Hyun-jun and James Forrest on the right.
“Celtic need more.”
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