Celtic manager Neil Lennon’s striker goal now isn’t necessary

Add as preferred source on Google

Neil Lennon’s new striker was supposed to be the club’s top priority this season.

But after seeing how both Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Leigh Griffiths have started pre-season, do we seriously need one?

Celtic have scored eight goals in their opening two pre-season matches against Pinkafeld and Wiener Sportclub respectively. Three of them were scored by the duo of Bayo and Griffiths. It’s also worth bearing in mind that Lennon didn’t have these strikers available during his spell as interim boss.

The Northern Irishman claimed before the end of last season that they needed another striker this summer (The Herald). Lennon even stated that they could break the bank to get another in. He was serious about bolstering the ranks up top.

But, and we do hate the phrase “like a new signing”, but that’s exactly what both Griffiths and Bayo are like. The former in particular has made quite the predictable return to form with two goals in two games. He looks fitter than ever, and determined to make up for lost time last season.

Bayo, meanwhile, scored his first goal in green-and-white, and showed plenty of promise against Sportclub. His aerial threat is the standout, even if he was off-target with his headers on Saturday. He has a physical presence that will make him a valuable asset against Premiership defences. He also seems to know how to time his runs too.

Lennon’s new striker is no necessity

Interestingly, both Bayo and Griff appear to be two totally different kinds of strikers. Just as importantly, however, is the fact that both are big goal threats. Griffiths has certainly proven that a lot more than the Ivorian, but Bayo shows real promise.

Unless Lennon is reverting back to his old 4-4-2 ways, that striker he was so determined to get earlier this year shouldn’t be a necessity.

Making sure we get replacements for Mikael Lustig, Jeremy Toljan, and Filip Benkovic should be on the agenda more than a fourth forward.

But Celtic also still have Odsonne Edouard in there building up his fitness and ready to join Bayo and Griff on the goal front.

And if we do decide to get a fourth forward, is it seriously worth spending Edouard money to bring one in? Certainly not if it comes at the expense of defensive recruitments.

Bayo and Griffiths have made deadly starts to pre-season. Having those two available is a game-changer, especially if they keep up their early form.

Time will tell whether they can, but as for the moment, Lennon should really think about putting plans for another forward to the side if he hasn’t already.