Guest Post By Daniel Hayes
The January transfer window is over, and once again, questions have been asked about Celtic’s business or the lack of it as we move into the business end of the season. The hoops made two additions over the window in Polish striker Patryk Klimala and Ivorian midfielder Ismaila Soro. Celtic addressed two significant positions which needed to be strengthened; therefore, there are plenty of positives to take from the window. However, should there have been more incomings?
Recently, Neil Lennon has taken to playing a 3-5-2 formation. Three centre-halves play across the back with wing-backs running the flanks on either side. It is a system which has worked tremendously well so far. The midfield has been dominating, the strikers have been linking up well and more goals have been scored. Even the defence has generally adapted well to the new system, despite some minor teething issues.
However, it must be asked; if we are to continue with this formation, surely another centre-half would have been high on Neil Lennon’s wish list, no? Christopher Julien and Kristoffer Ajer have dominated Celtic’s centre of defence since August. The pair have generally done well, and not many fans could complain about the Chris/Kris partnership. Since the turn of the year, the manager has been adding a third centre-back along with the two towers. Croatian defender Jozo Simunovic has been regularly involved as he attempts to get back to full fitness. Simunovic has had constant knee trouble since arriving at Celtic in 2015, and it is the same issue that had kept him out between September and January. While Simunovic can generally be relied on when on the park, his ability to make it as far as walking out the tunnel has raised questions.
Aside from Julien and Ajer, Celtic’s centre-half options are Simunovic, Hatem Abd-Elhamed and Nir Bitton – all of whom missed Celtic’s recent matchday at Hamilton. All three players have had rotten luck with injuries throughout the season and inevitably, many fans feel like more cover at centre-half was necessary if we are to persist with a 3-5-2.
Celtic were forced to give a debut to 20-year-old academy product Stephen Welsh for Sunday’s game against Hamilton due to injury to the aforementioned trio. The youngster acquitted himself well and did not look out of place in the first team. However, can we trust the youngster against more challenging opposition in the league? The next few months are some of the most important in our history, and we just had a chance to give ourselves a serious advantage by investing in our backline. Time will tell if we made a mistake by neglecting to do so.
What do you think? Was a centre-half crucial in the window or can we rely on the likes of young Stephen Welsh going forward?
So the Fat controller has a BBC apology. The fat runt wants good kick up the erse. Some years ago on radio I called out the fat bun as a latent blue nose, when he was a supposed Airdrie fan. He’s the lowest form of human being on the planet, hiding behind wee lads and lasses, whilst they do his dirty work.
Traynor your a first class rat. Away and put your apron on and bow to your masters.
The whole window was a waste. Two prospects who will be lucky to make the grade and will both be out on loan at the beginning of 20/21. Both only signed to placate the supporters and look as if they were doing something. A number of players identified who were slightly more expensive than the prospects but deemed ‘too dear’ to buy so go with the cheaper options. No centre backs. We have been relying on Sevco imploding over the past couple of seasons and it looks like they are doing us a favour. We are yet to be put under any sustained pressure yet we are not prepared for that situation.