Neil Lennon made some interesting comments about the strikers at Parkhead this weekend.
Before Celtic’s massive 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock, Lennon claimed that Celtic’s top priority this summer would be a centre-forward if he was the manager. The Northern Irishman praised the performances of £9million man Odsonne Edouard – claiming the same level of cash could be spent on another striker this summer.
Lennon then watched his side stutter to a laboured 1-0 win over Killie at Parkhead. A lack of options up top has halted Celtic’s options in recent times. Goalscoring has been a problem, with just one netted in their last three Premiership games.
For those who didn’t see them, here are the main quotes from Lennon over the weekend, via the Evening Times.
“Centre forward would be the position I would look at if I was the manager. We’ve been doing that (suggesting targets) over the last few weeks. John’s been away, I’ve been away.
“They (strikers) cost money. But I’ve been delighted with him (Edouard), absolutely delighted with him. He has had to do a lot.
“Possibly (we could spend big money). Or, you could find them out there and, depending on players’ situations with their contracts, wages, that sort of stuff, you may be able to get good players for less. Sometimes I want to play with two strikers, but I’ve not had that luxury”
What makes a fourth choice so necessary?
So there can be a few different trains of thought here.
First off, does it open up a question about Vakoun Issouf Bayo? Is the fact that Lennon hasn’t had a chance to see him in action making him doubt whether he can put enough faith in him to produce? Bayo hasn’t made one appearance under Lennon, so it would hardly be too surprising.
Secondly, this could be something to do with how Lennon wants to play. The comment about playing two up would make a move for a fourth striker more sensible. After all, a replacement for each of the top two strikers is more of a necessity.
But, at the moment, we have three at the club. Edouard has continued to pull up trees for Lennon. You could argue he’s been the reason the Northern Irishman still has a chance of getting the job.
You would also have to hope that Leigh Griffiths is ready to go for pre-season next year. Considering the fact there’s talk of him potentially returning before the end of the season, surely pre-season isn’t unrealistic either.
Lennon, of course, hasn’t been confirmed as the permanent manager yet. But it’s interesting that he’s still going out and scouting players/suggesting targets to the board. But just what does the move for a fourth striker really mean?
Lennon has confirmed he wouldn’t play two up top every week. You could argue that it would avoid the situation we’re in now in only having Edouard fit. But the Griffiths situation was an extreme circumstance, and if it wasn’t for that Celtic would still have had two top-quality options up top.
Celtic have also had the chance to play two up top this season. Timothy Weah has been available for the most part, but Lennon has simply refused to play him.
So what does the possibility of a fourth striker mean? Is it a warning for Bayo? Does it signal a change in style? Let us know what you think about this one in the comments below.
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