Celtic’s best XI as first game since close of summer transfer window nears

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Celtic’s summer transfer window was a disaster.

It started well with the addition of Kieran Tierney and then the £2m bargain signing of Benjamin Nygren from FC Nordsjælland.

In between, there were a number of uninspiring recruits that were certainly not making the starting XI any better, such as Callum Osmand, Hayato Inamura and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

And then it ended in embarrassing fashion as Celtic spent deadline day scrambling for new additions, and consequently only signed one player in Sebastian Tounekti.

Adam Idah was sold for £7m to Swansea City, but the Bhoys ran out of time to buy a replacement for the Irish striker.

Instead, after the window had closed, Celtic settled for free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, who was released by Sevilla just a day or two before.

Celtic will play their first game since the close of the transfer window on Sunday against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

So what is the best XI Brendan Rodgers can now assemble? 67 Hail Hail takes a look below.

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Celtic’s best XI post transfer window

Before we go any further, we have not taken current injuries into account when compiling the best starting XI. We have simply picked, in our view, the strongest player for every position.

Goalkeeper

Of course, Kasper Schmeichel is in between the sticks as the club’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper.

Defence

In front of the Dane is Kieran Tierney at left-back, although Marcelo Saracchi may be debuting on Sunday against Kilmarnock due to the former Arsenal star’s current injury.

Alistair Johnston is the best right-back, but at the moment Anthony Ralston is playing as a result of the Canadian’s hamstring injury.

Liams Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers pick themselves at the heart of the defence, with the Irishman in particular having a strong start to the new season.

Midfield

In midfield, captain Callum McGregor is the anchor of the three, while Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren take up the advanced positions.

Hatate hasn’t been great so far this season, so there is an argument that he comes out and either Arne Engels or Luke McCowan take his place.

But on his day, Hatate is arguably the best central midfielder Rodgers has.

Attack

Then it’s the new look front three of Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Balikwisha looked hesitant against Rangers on his debut, but perhaps the occasion got the better of him. He’s probably still better than Yang Hyun-jun.

Tounekti is more of a left winger, although Celtic don’t have much option other than to play him out right.

Iheanacho is certainly the most proven striker at the club, but he needs to prove that signing him for nothing was a masterstroke.