Chris Sutton is concerned about the lack of depth Celtic have available in the striking department, writing in his regular Daily Record column this weekend.
He feels it’s an issue that could have an impact on the Hoops’ bid to reach the group stages of the UEFA Champions League this summer.
Neil Lennon currently has Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths available with Vakoun Bayo also competing when fit.
Sutton though believes that if Edouard picks up an injury Celtic would be heading for “a disaster” that could cost us.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the former striker said: “I like Odsonne Edouard but it’s tough to imagine going into a Champions League play-off tie without him so they’re a hamstring injury to the Frenchman away from a disaster.
“Neil Lennon spoke after the game on Wednesday about Leigh Griffiths not being up to speed but you can’t afford to carry players in these qualifiers.”
Do Celtic have a striking problem?
If Lennon doesn’t feel Griffiths is quite ready for the intensity that competitive action brings then we could be left short in a worst case scenario.
There is no need to panic however.
The Scotland international getting back up to full speed is a slow process and patience is required, from both supporters and Sutton.
While it’s true that Lennon did comment that Griffiths has more work to do to play regularly for the Hoops, he did also speak enthusiastically about his long-awaited first-team return coming off the bench against Sarajevo.
It doesn’t make much sense for Celtic to rush into the transfer market and add another striker when three are on the books already.
Unless Lennon is planning on playing two as an attacking duo any time soon then we should persist with what we have.
Celtic picking up panic buys with the short-term in mind rarely ends well.
Edouard has shown he can cope with the pressures of being our main man for now and Griffiths isn’t too far away from being the striker we all know and love.
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