Former Celtic star Tony Watt has defended the Hoops recruitment this summer in the face of criticism from BBC Scotland pundit Tam McManus.
Celtic have been slow to bolster Neil Lennon’s this squad this summer. Poor recruitment is seen as one of the contributory factors in our UEFA Champions League exit against Cluj.
However, having added another right-back to the squad this week, things are looking a little more hopeful.
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McManus though was ready to criticise the signing of Moritz Bauer on a season-long loan from Stoke, taking to Twitter to share his thoughts after the announcement today.
I am fully aware of that but what’s your point? Looks to me like another stop gap loan deal for a guy completely bombed out at a poor Stoke team. More quality going out the door at Parkhead than coming in is eventually going to come back and bite Celtic on the arse.
— Tam McManus (@The_Tman10) August 28, 2019
Barcelona goal hero Watt was having none of it however, pointing out some of the positives he sees from Celtic’s transfer window, including the signing of Bauer.
Celtic replaced tierney with a 3 million pound defender on verge of a Belgian cap! Elhamed £1.6. Julien was 6 million. Bauer was signed when stoke were in the premier league. If they can Loan him risk free with an option to buy for me that’s great business. He doesnt perform = 👋
— Tony Watt (@32watto_) August 28, 2019
Who is right here?
McManus is being a bit harsh with regards to the Bauer signing. He may have had a difficult spell at Stoke City, but he’s previously impressed at Grasshoppers and Rubin Kazan.
As Watt points out, a loan to buy deal is not the worst bit of business in the world.
Ultimately, Celtic’s transfer window can only really be judged once Monday’s deadline passes.
As we know, much can happen in the final few days of the window, especially when clubs like us have a bit of spare cash to bolster key positions.
Realistically we are only two or three signings away from having a quality team that also has the depth to compete well on multiple trophy fronts this season.
If the club can deliver a left-back, a left winger and perhaps midfield relief for Scott Brown, then most fans are going to be relatively happy with the business done.