The Celtic board will be tested this summer like never before.
Even though Celtic won the double last season, thanks to Martin O’Neill, the supporters won’t and haven’t forgotten the makeup of the whole campaign.
A lot of it stems from how the Celtic board went about their ways in the transfer market, and Andy Walker thinks O’Neill will be demanding that the champions of Scotland prove their worth to the rest of the footballing world.
The former striker told Go Radio that O’Neill will want Celtic to make that ‘big statement’ signing and prove they are ‘the richest team in Scotland.’
“I am sure Martin would want a big statement signing just to show everyone that Celtic are the richest team in Scotland,” said Walker.
“We can afford to spend a bit of money. We have a lot of quality here in Martin O’Neill’s first signing.”
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Every Celtic fan would love to be a fly on the wall when O’Neill is negotiating what should and shouldn’t happen during the summer transfer market.
As Walker rightfully pointed out, the legendary Irishman spent ‘a lot of money’ when he first moved to Parkhead in 2000.
But Celtic have ‘completely changed’ during those days, so it will be interesting to see how everything pans out.
“I do think it will be interesting for Martin O’Neill,” said Walker. “He is now the permanent manager for at least one more season.
“You would think he would like to make a big splash with a signing that everyone will be excited about. Celtic supporters can’t wait to get to the ground to see this new guy play.
“You think back to Martin’s first spell here when he spent a lot of money on quite a physically imposing team, and Celtic’s model has completely changed.
“I am sure Martin would want a big statement signing just to show everyone that Celtic are the richest team in Scotland. We can afford to spend a bit of money. We have a lot of quality here in Martin O’Neill’s first signing.”
Which area of the pitch should be the ‘statement’ signing?
Most people will probably point towards the striker. Daizen Maeda will likely leave, which will make it even more paramount that a goalscorer is signed.
So, perhaps, that area of the pitch needs to be the ‘statement’ signing and where the big money is splashed by Celtic.
But it could be argued that the heart of the midfield also needs to be fixed.
Callum McGregor needs help. Reo Hatate will be away, and there are doubts over the future of Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels.
Plus, January signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t the answer, while Luke McCowan isn’t good enough to be a regular starter.
Either way, some serious money needs to be invested in a midfielder, and it could be argued that’s where the ‘statement’ signing needs to come from.
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