Forensic Files: Celtic Midfield and How to Improve it

We are approaching that time of year where it is impossible to not lift our heads and cast our gaze towards the horizon, looking forward to the season ahead.

We can all agree that this campaign has been nothing short of bliss, an unexpected upturn in both quality and excitement from the relative slog that was last season. Celtic have a good squad, a very good manager and a board that seem to be reinvigorated. However, these factors do not combine to form an immunity against failure. This summer is another fantastic opportunity to enhance the playing staff, cementing the club’s position as the dominant force domestically and, hopefully, enhancing a European reputation that still looks a little rough-shorn.

Celtic are in an awkward position that must be rather unique in football; players that could immediately improve the side are perhaps out of our budget, while it is hard to imagine someone who is affordable being good enough to dislodge what is looking more and more like a terrific team.

Below is a detailed look at the current squad and a few players that, I think, fit perfect in that sweet spot between affordable and talented.

Celtic’s midfield has been the sides biggest attribute, rotating the ball with an accuracy and an intensity that has dazzled the fans in the stand, never mind the sweat soaked opposition that have become more aggressive in their frustrations by the week.

Brown, Rogic, Armstrong and even the beleaguered Calum McGregor look as though they would be comfortable in the Champions League arena. Eboue Kouassi has endured a tentative start to life in Glasgow and, hopefully, with the benefit of a full preseason can embed himself in the squad.

Nir Bitton can still be relied upon to neuter games that look in danger of getting out of hand, but with each passing week, looks more and more resigned to the fact he is slipping down the totem-pole.

Liam Henderson, whilst clearly in possession of talent, has not kicked-on in the same manner as Calum McGregor and will surely seek a move to increase his playing time.

Despite the progress of most of the players, another midfielder has been targeted, someone capable of linking defence and attack. The obvious candidate would be Brendan Rodgers’ muse and frequent collaborator Joe Allen. The Welshman has seen his stock soar after his hugely impressive showing during the Summer’s European Championships. His composure in possession and willingness to make a forward, cutting pass could prove vital in ensuring that the Hoops are able to impose their style, quickly, over European opponents.

A player that Celtic may also consider is Allen’s compatriot and former Bhoy Joe Ledley. The bearded beauty is out of contract in the summer and as far as I am aware has failed to renew his deal at Crystal Palace, nor has he agreed a pre-contract elsewhere. He was an underrated presence during his first spell at Parkhead, but now the wrong side of 30 perhaps he is not the player we require.

Another Premier League player that Rodgers may cast his gaze over is Everton’s James McCarthy. Injuries have limited McCarthy to just 13 appearances this term, and with Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies, Morgan Schneiderlin and Gareth Barry all ahead in the pecking order it may be time for a change of scenery. Adding the facts that his relationship with the brusque Ronald Koeman has always appeared to be strained and that the Dutch gaffer is rumoured to be able to spend north of £150 million this summer, leaves this proposed deal looking more likely than ever.

Wider areas are also in need of rejuvenation, despite the quality of Scott Sinclair, James Forrest and the emergence of Michael Johnson.

Gary Mackay-Steven will seek pastures new after failing to impress in the numerous opportunities afforded to him.

If a deal to sign Paddy Roberts is viable then it should be completed with as much haste as humanly possible. The guy is a phenomenon, sooner or later he is going to carve a huge reputation in the game for himself. Getting Roberts now would be like buying shares in Apple when Steve Jobs was still arse-farting about with computers in his shed. Sadly, it’s looking more and more likely that the young winger longs for the opportunity to impress Pep Guardiola at his parent club Manchester City.

There are a couple of fringe players south of the border that could fill that the void. Firstly, is Leicester’s Polish winger, Bartosz Kapustka. The Young Pole was another standout performer at the Euro’s looking the perfect blend between physical and technical. He darted between opposition players like a dragonfly coursing along a dry river-bed, leaving them bemused in his wake. When Claudio Ranieri signed him it was seen as something of a coup, but having failed to make a Premier League appearance Leicester are keen to offload the player. The Foxes paid roughly £5million for the player and would be lucky to recoup half of that today. Kapustka possesses all the raw materials to be a terrific player, a season or two with Rodgers may just be what’s required to unearth them.

The other wide-man I would love to see Celtic express an interest in is Spurs’ forgotten dynamo Georges-Kevin N’Koudou. The little trickster has not been given much of an opportunity to showcase his undoubted talents. At his best, he resembles Roberts with a similar jinking style, throwing out more faints and dummies than confetti thrown at a wedding. What forces this transfer into the realms of fantasy is the fact that Pochettino paid over £10million for N’Koudou last summer and, under the gaze of the infamously frugal Daniel Levy, would not wish to make too much of a loss. Ideally an initial loan deal with the option to pay a reduced fee, I the future, could be cobbled together. Fanciful I know.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s attacking forensic files

BEN DELANEY