While the headlines at Celtic remain dominated by the ongoing protests, the calls for change in the boardroom and a four-way title race in Scotland, a much quieter and highly effective rebuild is taking shape in the background.
Amid the off-field uncertainty, and that includes who will be Celtic’s manager next season, the much-criticised recruitment team is laying the groundwork for what could arguably become the most formidable fullback roster in Scottish football next season.
As of this current moment, Kieran Tierney, Marcelo Saracchi, Julian Araujo and Alistair Johnston are Celtic’s fullbacks, including rising youngster Colby Donovan, and the experienced Anthony Ralston.
“You can see that the fans feed off him as well. I see him day in and day out. The way he is, of course, professional on the football pitch, but in and around the gym, he is excitable, and he brings a bit of charisma to the training.”
Jonny Hayes on Araujo
Two of those players – Saracchi and Araujo – are on-loan, and hopefully, if the Hoops can sign them permanently, then the next manager can have some serious quality to cook with.
- READ MORE: Celtic need to sign Julian Araujo permanently after Jonny Hayes hails behind-the-scenes ‘charisma’
What do you think is the main reason behind Kieran Tierney’s goalscoring form this season?
How many goals do you think he will score?
Kieran Tierney, Alistair Johnston, Marcelo Saracchi and Julian Araujo at Celtic next season
Don’t get it wrong, the Celtic recruitment team deserve all the pelters for woeful transfer window after woeful transfer window.
There are and will continue to be problems all over the pitch. From the striker department to Celtic’s number one goalkeeper. That’s why an overhaul is needed in the summer.
But the one area of the pitch that probably doesn’t need to be touched for next season is the fullback position.
Tierney is getting better and better, as his fitness and body gets stronger following previous injury issues, whilst Saracchi has been an underrated figure behind him.
| Tierney’s Premiership games | Starts | Goals | Assists | Man of the Match |
| 26 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
It’s pretty simple: sign Araujo from Bournemouth permanently, and get Saracchi signed up from Boca Juniors, throw in the thriving Tierney, and the ever-reliable Johnston, and who in Scottish football can come close to that quality and depth in quality?
This emerging defensive quartet threatens to transform the wide areas into Celtic’s ultimate weapon next season, and fans should be excited.
You also need to take into account that Johnston has been injured for most of the season, and all four players haven’t been available at the same time.
It seems as though Johnston will return for the post-split fixtures, so that’s when fans will get a taste of a position for Celtic that has slowly become the strongest area of the team.
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