FC Cincinnati general manager Gerard Nijkamp has been singing the praises of Celtic defender Andrew Gutman.
The left-back has headed back to the USA to feature in the MLS for the rest of the season. He’ll be eligible to make his debut next Saturday against Columbus Crew. It also comes after a previous spell in the US with Charlotte Independence.
Cincinnati, as it stands, are the worst team in the MLS at the moment. Therefore, Gutman has a huge task on his hands trying to stand-out with the side bottom of the Eastern Conference.
But club GM Nijkamp feels the signing of Gutman is a positive boost to the club. Speaking to FC Cincinnati’s official website, the Dutchman had this to say on the USA starlet.
“We were looking for the backline for an extra player and from the left side. With (Greg) Garza injured, he’s coming back in a few weeks and we needed an extra player in the position.
“I saw him on video and I liked him a lot. I think he will fit the way we play now and in the future. He’s a strong defender and aggressive in his one-on-ones.
“He likes to come up and overlap to go into the attacking third. That is what I want to see from the right and left fullback, so he fits our playing style”
Gerard Nijkamp comments prove Gutman is highly-rated
It appears we have a highly-rated talent in Gutman at Parkhead. Whether he has it in him to make it in Glasgow and be consistent enough to stay here, of course, remains to be seen.
But it’s no doubt a massive step-up from his time with Charlotte Independence last season. His time in the USL saw him turn in impressive performance after impressive performance. It was evident he was made for better things than what the USA’s lower tiers were able to provide him with.
Neil Lennon should keep an eye on Gutman’s progress with a real open mind. Should he impress against some of the classy wingers in the US, he has to be considered for a role at Parkhead next season.
It’s all up in the air, of course, and who knows how our left-back situation will look one year down the line? But, in any case, Gutman clearly has some raw potential that needs to be tapped.
It’s also important that he isn’t judged on this spell with Cincinnati if things don’t go well. As mentioned previously, they’re having a confidence crisis, and have only just appointed a new head coach in Ron Jans over the last 24 hours. Cincinnati have just two wins in their last 12 league games too. Times are tough in Ohio for the new expansion side, so it will be intriguing to see how Gutman integrates there.
But it’s a new start for the young Celt. With a bit of luck, he takes to the MLS just as impressively as he did to the USL.
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