Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has had his say on the club’s summer transfer business, writing in his weekly Sunday Post column that Neil Lennon has assembled an ‘exciting’ squad at Celtic Park.
The Hoops made 14 signings before the window closed last Monday, ranging from multi-million pound buys to loan deals to contracts for young players with potential.
It was a needed squad refresh and Dalglish thinks the club have done well to get the business done, feeling that Lennon will have been particularly thrilled to bring experience like Fraser Forster into the squad.
As quoted by The Sunday Post, he said: “Celtic spent plenty in the transfer window, and they have assembled a really good squad, with an exciting mix of experience and potential.
“Neil will be thrilled with getting Fraser Forster in, and Christopher Jullien looks like a solid and reliable central defender. He was outstanding last Sunday.
“Also the addition of Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock was one he wanted to get over the line. It could have been doom and gloom with the loss of Kieran Tierney, but it has all worked out very well.”
Are Celtic stronger this year compared to last?
Usually, the measure of the summer transfer window is whether or not the squad is in better shape coming out of it than going into it.
With the change of manager though there are other things to consider.
The Celtic squad assembled by Brendan Rodgers was clearly coming to the end of its cycle and so it was natural to see some experienced and influential players leave.
Lennon’s task over the next few years is building his current side to a peak and that’s unlikely to come in his first season in charge.
For example, expecting Greg Taylor or Boli Bolingoli to replace Tierney’s presence in the squad from the off is unrealistic. The team need time to prove themselves and develop as a unit.
However, Celtic have recruited smartly over the last few months and on the face of things we are no less suited to domestic challenges this season than last.
It’s now up to the manager and the players to prove they can deliver trophies again.
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