Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has urged the club to enter the transfer market and sign another centre-half this summer, writing in his regular Daily Record column on Saturday.
The reigning champions kicked off the Scottish Premiership in fine fashion last weekend, thrashing Hamilton 5-1.
Sutton though is clearly aiming for perfection as he’s picked up on an issue he reckons is concerning as the team head deeper into the season.
The outspoken pundit feels that Accies’ attack gave Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer problems too easily in central defence and has called on another signing to add more competition in the area.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Sutton said: “As yet, there is still no back-up for Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer at centre-back and there is also a case to be made for signing someone to go in and compete for the place.
“Now perhaps Jullien and Ajer were slightly off their game against Accies because they thought it might be a bit of a stroll, but you’d have to be alarmed at the way Hamilton’s strikers got about them.
“There was a corner in the second half that was identical to the one where Ajer lost Nikola Katic and won the Old Firm derby for Rangers at Parkhead last December. Marios Ogkmpoe lost Jullien and couldn’t finish but it was the same run not picked up.
“Maybe I’m being ultra harsh. But these are the little warnings which need to be heeded. Celtic need another centre-back.”
After the departure of Jozo Simunovic at the end of last season, it feels likely that the club will get the finger out and deliver a new defender before the transfer deadline of October 5th.
Whether that’s a player of the calibre that can improve the starting eleven or who is more of a development type signing remains to be seen.
You’d like to think that in such an important season no expense would be spared in strengthening the team but there are financial considerations to make in these uncertain times.
It’s also helpful to remember that Celtic only conceded 19 league goals last term, by far the best record in the country alongside Rangers.
So while Sutton has serious concerns, the Ajer and Jullien partnership is one that has already provided a platform for success at the club.
In other news, St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin has praised Celtic for the club’s communication on Vakoun Bayo this summer, as the player nears an exit to French football.
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