Chris Sutton has voiced his continued concerns over Celtic’s summer recruitment, suggesting that none of the new arrivals have fully justified their signing, at least not yet.
Despite a flurry of activity in the summer transfer window, Sutton believes there’s little to show for it in terms of real impact on the pitch. Writing in his Daily Record column, the former Celtic striker criticised what he sees as a lack of planning and cohesion in the club’s recruitment strategy.
Among the headline signings were the returning Kieran Tierney, Sebastian Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren, Kelechi Iheanacho, Marcelo Saracchi, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, but Sutton says the jury is still out on all of them.
“Celtic’s much-talked about mistakes in the last baffling recruitment effort which will see a raft of those signed not actually being involved at Dundee tomorrow. Which says it all.
“Those who joined and will be at Dens Park have sporadically caught the eye. Sebastian Tounekti dazzled in his first couple of games, but we don’t know if he has consistency.
“Benjamin Nygren has popped up with some goals, but I wouldn’t judge him as a central midfielder and I’m yet to be convinced overall as yet. Kelechi Iheanacho hasn’t seemed mobile enough in the central striker role, though that may come.
“Mareclo Saracchi looks fine, Michel-Ange Balikwisha not so much. His assist last time out against Motherwell might have boosted him, but then again, maybe not. That’s the whole point. We just don’t know.
“Hand on heart, with the visuals so far, it’s fair to say these guys aren’t at the level of players in recent seasons whose roles they are trying to fill. It may come, but I’m hoping it will come rather than being convinced at this precise moment.”
On Tierney, he added: “Rodgers needs to find a way to start getting the best out of Kieran Tierney. I can’t put my finger on why, but he’s not been at it since returning from Arsenal and this situation of not finishing games is an issue.”
Speculation this week linked former Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark with a move to Celtic, but CeltsAreHere confirmed that no contact had been made — a story that Rodgers later corroborated.
All eyes now turn to the January window, which could define Celtic’s season and Brendan Rodgers’ future at the club.
The feeling amongst everyone seems to be that it’s a massive transfer window for the club. They need to have a grade A period, with tensions already running high.
Whatever happens with Rodgers, happens. Whether he’ll want to stay at a club who don’t back him and brief against him, is entirely up to him.
Keep Reading
