The signing of Sheffield Wednesday youngster Liam Shaw and pursuit of Wigan prospect Kyle Joseph has been confusing for some Celtic supporters.
Shaw has agreed on a pre-contract with the Bhoys, while reports this week indicate the club are ‘closing in’ on a similar deal for Joseph.
The apparent problem people have with this is that decisions are being made on signings in the absence of a new first-team manager.
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Even when Shaw signed, it was abundantly clear that Neil Lennon wasn’t going to be the manager for long, so who made that decision? And who’s behind the quest to sign Joseph?
The recruitment process at Celtic doesn’t hinge on one person. Multiple people are involved in bringing players to the club from Nick Hammond’s scouting department, through the coaching staff and up to the executive level.
So it doesn’t necessarily defy logic that the club would make moves to bring in young talents that aren’t big cash investments.
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Join the forum now >>Joseph is an up and coming player who has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers.
Celtic can’t stand still when there are young talents available on the market simply because we are conducting a managerial search.
Sure, any incoming boss needs to be heavily involved in more expensive and important recruitment, but I’m happy to see the club crack on with bringing in players who can shine in the future.
It’s not an indication of what our transfer ambition will be this summer.
Fans have provided a mixed reaction to the Joseph reports this week, taking to social media to share their thoughts…
We don’t have a manager, who’s buying players 🤷♂️
— Rhebel_alliance (@mickeyboy67) March 5, 2021
Seriously, is this were we are going 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/Cj41vbi51a
— Stevenwelsh (@Stevenw0809) March 5, 2021
Who’s calling the shots 🤷♂️ https://t.co/wGbgn4Qkfe
— Eddy McKenzie (@EddyMcKenzie3) March 5, 2021
Wonder how many season he’ll spend in the reserves before he signs for Plymouth Argyle or something https://t.co/UAbtVUCEoP
— Lenn💫n (@_Lennon1967) March 5, 2021
Yes he could become a decent player but we need to sign less projects and more first team ready players significantly better than what’s there right now. Wasted far too much money on players with potential when we should be bringing in instant quality. https://t.co/n1A86TYLeD
— Chris Q (@chris91q) March 5, 2021
Do people think that every time a manager comes in the just throw out all the scouting and future planning and start from scratch. Our academy and youth coaches are still there. These players are not for the first team right now. They are for 3 or 4 years down the line.
— Kevin Hackett (@KevHackett83) March 5, 2021
I can see a pattern emerging here…..
— Celt Abroad (@Celt_abroad) March 5, 2021
Liking that we are doing pre contract business. Potential of Champions League football is a big draw for top young players in England.
Although they aren’t specific targets from a new manager, it is good business.
— thomas (@hesgoal_celtic) March 5, 2021