Former Celtic boss John Barnes has given his thoughts on four current first team players that he believes are Premier League quality.
Celtic currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and having gained experience in the Champions League this season, the former Liverpool star believes there are some real exceptional talents within the squad.
However, he reckons that none of the clubs in the top-six would consider a move for any of the players at Parkhead.
The most recent link to one of England’s top sides has been fullback Josip Juranovic who featured for Croatia in the World Cup semi final, many Hoops fans would reject his opinion as he was linked to a move to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and isn’t even mentioned within the four names.
“Players like Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are good enough to play in the Premier League but I don’t think they’d join the top six teams. We have seen Scottish League players go to good mid-table Premier League teams. But to say if they’re going to the top teams? No, it won’t happen,” said Barnes speaking to [BonusCodeBets].
REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Controversially he also believes that if the chance should arise, Ange Postecoglou should take up the job at West Ham United who currently sit 19th place in the Premier League.
“If Ange Postecoglou wants to manage in a high-profile league like Steven Gerrard did, then he should take the West Ham job. It’s not a question of a stepping-down, but of his ambitions.
“It’s easier to win the league with Celtic than it is to keep Southampton from relegation. Going to West Ham would be a step down in terms of the size of the club because Celtic is massive, but the Premier League would be a step up.”
Postecoglou has been very clear that he is happy with his life in Glasgow and isn’t looking at jobs elsewhere even though the media like to link him to jobs in England.
Many would again challenge Barnes’ perspective as Gerrard currently remains unemployed while his former coach hot tailed it back to Glasgow.
Barnes can’t see a way back for Celtic’s closest challengers in the title race and think that the league is all but over.
“I can’t see Celtic losing many matches which will make it very tough for Rangers to catch up. A nine-point gap between Arsenal and Man City is much more bridgeable than a nine-point gap between Celtic and Rangers.
“Arsenal can lose to teams in Premier League because of they have quality in their teams, it’s not the same in Scotland.”
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3 COMMENTS
Makes sense that, yes you could see those players play in PL but they would only be wanted by clubs out with the top 6, and then if they impress a move to the top 6 would be possible. VVD and Wanyama prove this point. We should be trying to discourage any player from leaving mid-season by all means and sell them on at end of the season. That’s the business plan and I don’t have an issue with it as these guys would be set for life playing for Brighton for example as long as they give everything while they are here and keep the bigots under our size nines and get CL money to go again and try to invest in our academy and not lose players like Doak until he is an established first team player I will be happy.
Hey John,
Did ye ever hear of a lhad called Virgil Van Dyke ? Ciaron Tierney ? and sooo many more ? Yer premiership is boring shite and there are and will be more, “top 6 ” English pishship” players out of Parkhead. But then, yer record of football knowledge speaks for itself with yer time at Celtic. Useless…….. and definitely not “racist” !
Makes sense that, yes you could see those players play in PL but they would only be wanted by clubs out with the top 6, and then if they impress a move to the top 6 would be possible. VVD and Wanyama prove this point. We should be trying to discourage any player from leaving mid-season by all means and sell them on at end of the season. That’s the business plan and I don’t have an issue with it as these guys would be set for life playing for Brighton for example as long as they give everything while they are here and keep the bigots under our size nines and get CL money to go again and try to invest in our academy and not lose players like Doak until he is an established first team player I will be happy.
Hey John,
Did ye ever hear of a lhad called Virgil Van Dyke ? Ciaron Tierney ? and sooo many more ? Yer premiership is boring shite and there are and will be more, “top 6 ” English pishship” players out of Parkhead. But then, yer record of football knowledge speaks for itself with yer time at Celtic. Useless…….. and definitely not “racist” !
Who cares what this two bob idiot has to say.
I’m surprised he didn’t start his usual race-baiting, which he is so fond of. This clown’s opinion is of no value to anyone.