Kenny Dalglish is feeling positive about the direction of Celtic this summer and has noted the addition of Alexandro Bernabei adds serious competition to the squad.
The 21-year-old has joined the Bhoys on a five-year deal from Lanus in Argentina and is set to duke it out with last season’s regular left-back Greg Taylor.
Dalglish reckons this battle will be exactly what Ange Postecoglou is looking for heading into season two of his tenure at the Bhoys.
He’s also of the belief Taylor will now need to up his game to keep his place in the starting eleven.
Writing in his Sunday Post column, the Celtic legend said: “Bernabei has been on Celtic’s radar for several months, and there is a feeling that he is going to be an excellent addition to the squad. Ange had wanted to strengthen that area of the team, and it’s now between Alexandro and Greg Taylor to battle it out. All managers want competition for places, and the Celtic boss is no different.
“Greg was excellent for the Parkhead club last season, and more than played his part as they won the title and the League Cup. But he is now going to have to step it up to another level, and Ange will be hoping that the two of them going for it will improve them both.
“Indeed, Greg may well be the only one that doesn’t want the competition, as players like to have a position as their own. It’s the same with the current incumbent of the No. 9 jersey, or the goalkeeper in residence. They don’t want to be threatened by someone. But that’s the way it needs to be. Successful teams need to have two players fighting for every position.
“For Alexandro to choose to come to Scotland at such a young age tells you a lot about his desire and attitude.”
Taylor has had his detractors at Celtic over the last couple of years but I reckon he was actually a very underrated part of last season’s success.
He was one of the first players to truly get to grips with Postecoglou’s football and ended up being an incredibly consistent presence on the left flank.
Stepping up to Europe is another story of course and Bernabei’s potential may well result in him becoming a prime pick, but I don’t think Taylor will give up the jersey easily.
Going to another level may be exactly what we’re about to see from the Scotland international.
In other news, English football follows in Celtic footsteps with Monday announcement.
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