We have lost two of our best players this summer, and we have yet to replace them. Both Gary Hooper and Victor Wanyama left us for the English Premiership and we have made huge profits on both talents. Now we must spend the money we received over the course of last season and over this summer, and we must spend it quickly.
Neil Lennon will have several targets and Gary Parker has said that two or three signings is the aim. How will Celtic go about their business? So far Celtic have gone off the radar when making signings, few had heard of Amido Balde and Virgil Van Dijk. Celtic have been doing it for years, using the superb scouting system to full effect, the likes of Wanyama, Kayal, Izaguirre and Bangura were all previously unheard of to the majority of Celtic supporters. The Celtic team lacks experience though. The team is very young and Celtic will strengthen if we can add a player who has champions league experience. We need a proven goalscorer at the very best level, because if we are to improve on the fantastic European campaign last season, we need a goalscorer and having just lost one, Celtic cannot afford to take any risks. This type of player does not need to break the bank, yes, it is likely to be more than the £2.5 million we spent on Gary Hooper, but you can find many good bargains now, even at the top level of football.
People are calling for Anthony Stokes to be Hooper’s replacement, but he rejected this in the week and said that everyone needed to step up and fill the big boots left, that doesn’t fill me with the greatest of confidence. Georgious Samaras has adapted his game to a left sided midfielder and although he does score goals, he is not a direct replacement for a poacher. Tony Watt is still young and cannot be relied upon to score goals at the top level and we have seen little of Amido Balde, but he looks physical and skillful, he looks a decent player, but again not a Gary Hooper replacement.
It’s a must that Celtic sign one or two strikers and in my opinion Celtic must go for experience as they look to reach the quarter finals of the Champions league this time around. However Celtic go about their business in the upcoming week, one thing is for certain, to replace the goalscorer in Gary Hooper, Celtic must sign quality with as little risk as possible.
@FinlayRowden
