I posted the above image in August but the sad thing is I can post it again today and it is still very pertinent.
Celtic failed to replace Gary Hooper’s goals this summer and it has shown in many games. Not just Wednesday night, but even on Saturday past when it took a Charlie Mulgrew last minute header to rescue a point against Dundee Utd.
We have lacked any sort of cutting edge or ruthlessness in front of goal. We don’t have that one guy to look to when our backs are against the wall, the guy who makes something happen even when it hasn’t been our day.
When we went behind in Amsterdam I looked around for a hero and I couldn’t see one. I looked to the bench and again I couldn’t see one. When Teemu Pukki came on he didn’t inspire or even give Celtic any sort of second wind. Players need a talisman as much as the fans do, when they’re having a bad day they need a player who is going to keep driving and working for the team when hope has been lost.
We now find ourselves in a situation where we are four games into our Champions League campaign and we only have two goals, one a penalty and the other a deflected shot. It’s not good enough at this level.
Celtic have always had the kind of player down the years that you could rely on to pop up when you need it. Not even talking about superstars like Larsson or even your Hoopers but players like Scott McDonald who had the ability to find the net on a regular basis.
We get urged by the club on a daily basis to ‘#BeCeltic’, so why don’t the club take a leaf out their own book and do the same. If they were to ‘#BeCeltic’ they would instantly recognise the need for such a player at Celtic Park.
We’re not asking Celtic to break the bank and I know they spent some money in the summer but was it spent wisely?
The squad as a whole have done their best to keep Celtic on the right track having negotiated through three Champions league qualifiers to get where they are but they need some help now and I hope it is forthcoming in January.
