Celtic boss Neil Lennon may have surprised many by stating he wants to strengthen out wide, but our lack of depth at right-mid is evidence that he’s spot on.
Indeed, the departure of Scott Sinclair to Preston North End appeared to bring up the prospect of recruiting down the flanks. Lennon told Sky Sports the following when asked about other areas that need strengthening:
“Yeah we’re maybe looking at a wide area as well. There won’t be too may I don’t think.”
At left-mid, Celtic have Mikey Johnston, Mohammed Elyounoussi, Daniel Arzani, and Lewis Morgan all available to battle it out. We certainly don’t need another recruit in that area. However, switch sides and you won’t see anyone available to rival James Forrest.
The Scotland and Celtic great has played in 35 of our 38 competitive matches this season, showing our lack of competition for him on a regular basis.
Nobody available to compete with Jimmy
Celtic, of course, do have the likes of Marian Shved and potentially Morgan who could play on the right. Neither man has proven himself to be good enough for that spot, however.
It’s interesting to note that Lennon didn’t mention Sinclair’s position as one that needs strengthening. He simply said that he was looking to improve in “a wide area”. Right-mid is the glaring position that needs an extra body, so it would be surprising if Celtic looked down the other side.
Our last match, a 2-1 home defeat to Rangers, stressed exactly why we need cover in that area. Forrest, as good as he is, went missing. He offered Jeremie Frimpong absolutely no support whatsoever. However, when Lenny turned to the bench, there wasn’t one player there who was a viable replacement.
A Plan B must be found
How different the game against Steven Gerrard’s side could’ve been had we had a solid replacement for Forrest. Nobody is saying we would’ve won the match, but it would’ve allowed Lennon to try another option.
It’s easy to look at the numbers we have in the wide areas and be surprised by Lennon’s comments. Neither flank has been an area that’s been talked about much in the run up to January. But if you look through or squad, it’s evident that some tweaking is required.
As of yet, we’ve still to be linked with any wingers this month. It’s clearly something Lenny is looking to press ahead with. Any new signing down the right also must have the ability to challenge Forrest, not simply be an understudy to him.
Not since Patrick Roberts have we had a decent competitor for Jimmy’s spot. With a bit of luck, that finally gets rectified this month.
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