IT HAS been a difficult transfer window for Brendan Rodgers, and not for the first time. The Celtic board have become increasingly slow-moving in the pre-season in recent years, leaving managers with a squad that feels unfinished when the season begins. With big-money striker Adam Idah struggling up top before being sold to SkyBet Championship Swansea, it has become clear that new firepower was needed this past window.
There were 11 arrivals in total, but the overarching theme of this window has been disappointment. Key players have not been replaced – namely Kyogo, following his January departure – and after being eliminated from the Champions League by Kairat, it feels as if this has been one of the most frustrating summers in recent Celtic history. So, just how bad was the window, and what does that mean for this coming season?
A Tricky Window but Success Always on the Cards
Despite a slightly slow window with some clear deficiencies appearing in the side, Celtic are still on course to take home plenty of domestic silverware. Rangers are misfiring under new manager Russell Martin and look as far off the pace as they ever have. Thumpings home and away from Club Brugge in the Champions League and draws galore and a home loss to Hearts in the league have left them looking bereft of confidence.
Celtic may be experiencing transfer troubles, but they are still firm favourites for the league. According to one online casino and sportsbook, they are 1/16 favourites to top the table come the end of the season. Rangers are a meagre 27/5 to claim a first win since the Covid season under Steven Gerrard, and Tony Bloom’s Hearts are third-favourites at 8/1. It suggests there’s very little competition domestically.
Window of False Dawns at Parkhead
With a window that sees the number of players coming in double figures, it’s hard to argue that it has been a complete washout. Instead, it has felt like a series of missteps, with the club seeming to settle for second best in all departments. This is especially evident at the top end of the pitch, where the board repeatedly missed out on acquiring striker targets, with players being snatched away just as negotiations seemed promising.
David Strelec, whose father was reportedly in talks with nearly every British club, ultimately joined Middlesbrough in the English second tier. This move mirrors that of Australian midfielder Riley McGree, who was also set to join Celtic before his transfer to Teesside in 2022. Kasper Dolberg plumped for a return to Ajax. And, embarrassingly, Datro Fofana turned down a loan move to Glasgow, only to become part of Chelsea’s “bomb squad” that trains away from the first team.
Where Next for Celtic’s Attacking Options?
It’s important to remember that Celtic did make a number of signings that will help out at the top of the pitch. Former Manchester City and Leicester City frontman Kelechi Iheanacho joined on UEFA deadline day after being freed by Sevilla. The Nigerian international sealed the deal with the winning penalty-kick in stoppage-time against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.
Other arrivals could not be termed out-and-out centre forwards or strikers. Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha joined late in the window, following on from Shin Yamada.
Balikwisha is more of a winger, but his 30 goals for Antwerp are promising. However, not one of those signings is a proven, consistent goalscorer. Outwith Iheanacho, only Yamada could be seen as having a striker’s record, but with fewer than 100 J-League appearances by the age of 25, it’s not the most impressive. As it stands, it looks as if some players will be works in progress alongside the likes of Johnny Kenny.
A Window With Some Promising Glimmers of Hope
Ultimately, the inability of the board to beef up the striking department will be the main headline from this summer. However, it doesn’t mean that this is a complete write-off of a transfer window. The return of Kieran Tierney is an eye-catching one, despite his injury record. The full-back is a class act and brings a wealth of experience to the back line.
Benjamin Nygren’s early-season goalscoring exploits could ease some goalscoring concerns and his arrival looks like a steal. Just 24, the Sweden international winger is already one of the hottest prospects in the league, and could become a real star. Though the title is likely to stay at Parkhead, the board clearly has work ahead of them in January and over the summer.
Image Source: unsplash.com
