Celtic’s signing policy has always been scrutinised for as long as I can remember. The only two seasons I think where the fans were happy were Martin O’Neill and Ange Postecoglou’s first seasons.
Signings like Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson, Didier Agathe and Neil Lennon in season 2000/01 helped Celtic to their first domestic treble since the Jock Stein era under O’Neill.
As for Ange, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were pivotal in ousting Rangers from their one season of domination to picking up five out of six trophies including the historic eighth treble in Celtic’s history.
Recruitment is key, and what has been shown this season is that Celtic have got it completely wrong.
Too many players signed in the summer have been found wanting and of the two recruited in January, one that Celtic signed has left Alan Stubbs scratching his head.
The former Celtic defender was running the rule over Celtic’s bench against Kilmarnock when he admitted that the purchase of Nicolas Kuhn has left him confused.
Stubbs said [PLZ Soccer], “If Celtic have their best XI on the pitch then it’s a different story but they have to go with what they’ve got.
“Just look at their bench from Saturday – Oh, Kuhn, Bernardo, Bernabei – and I’m not sure whether they’re players who can take them to the next level.
“I’ve been perplexed with some of the signings and this could be the bit that bites them on the backside in terms of their recruitment policy over the past 18 months since Ange has gone.”
Celtic’s poor recruitment has already proved costly
Stubbs makes a good point in saying that the signings made will come back and bite Celtic. It’s not a case of if, it already has.
Knocked out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock and surrendering a healthy lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic’s recruitment strategy has already proved costly.
The players purchased in the summer have had little to no impact at the club (possibly with the exception of Luis Palma) and whilst it’s too early to make a call on Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn, the early signs are is that the jury is still out on them both.
Brendan Rodgers needs to get his team doing their talking on the park now. The are the reigning Scottish champions but if they are not careful there is a very real danger that they could finish this season trophyless.
In other news, ‘Privately’… How Celtic really feel about the criticism aimed at Peter Lawwell
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