Originally published at: What we know and don't know about Celtic's recruitment search - 67 Hail Hail
Celtic’s recruitment search will likely already be well underway at the time of writing as we look to rebuild for next season. Everything that could’ve gone wrong this season has gone wrong as Neil Lennon resigned from his post this morning. It comes with the club effectively failing to win a single 2020/21 trophy. Only…
As inferred in the article, it is obvious that there is a huge challenge ahead rebuilding the squad. A cursory look at the situation suggests that the squad will be depleted at the end of the current season. Four players, Duffy, Laxalt, Kenny and Elyounoussy will all return to their home clubs.The latter three would be decent squad players but there is no guarantee that any will come back. If the rumours are correct, Odsonne, Ryan Christie and Ajer will be sold (for £30M - £40M apparently), two other players (Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic) reportedly wish to return to there home countries and Chris Jullien will be out until October/November. If we managed to stave of the other would be contenders a finish in 2nd place, we will have the Champions league to look forward to. As the Champions league is scheduled to start in June 2021 what kind of team will we have available? Disregarding the goalkeeping position which is another discussion, this would leave the squad with 3 defenders; Ralston, Taylor and Welsh, 8 midfielders; McGregor, Turnbull, Sorro, Forrest, Connell, Johnston, Henderson and Broony and 3 strikers; Griff, Ajeti and Klimala. A total of 14 outfield players which is 10 less than that in place at present. Stating the obvious, this means 8 to 10 new players will be have to be recruited. Where could you find so many decent players willing to come to our team as it is at present. Our recent recruitment record is somewhat lacking. Our new Manager and Executive Team will need a full treasure chest and not a little magic to resurrect our team to the powerhouse it once was. We can only hope and pray. Hail! Hail!
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Players that need to be shown the door
1): SCOTT BAIN – While he’s had the odd good display here and there, he’s simply not good enough.
2): VASILIS BARKAS – A good keeper or not, clearly not settled, clearly not happy, Celtic would be better off cutting their loses
3): ANTHONY RALSTON – Showed glimpses of promises, hasn’t lived up to expectations, couldn’t cut it at St. Johnston, should be moved on
4): SHANE DUFFY – I fully understand that the young man is going through the process of grievance, this should have been taken into consideration before opting to bring him in, in terms of the how grievance process would affect his mental health and therefore effecting his overall performance levels. Nervous in defence, caught out of position far too often, can’t pass, can’t tackle. It would be best for both parties to party way.
5): DIEGO LAXALT – Showed great promise when he arrived but performance levels have dropped off a cliff. Maybe under a new more modern-minded manager his game would improve, though theres two major concerns, for a left back, he plays too far to high up the pitch, constantly caught out of position and his ball delivery into the box is very poor. Celtic couldn’t afford his price tag away. Move him on
6): NIR BITTON - Has been used mainly as a utility player, slows the game down, has had the odd good performance here and there but his mind tends to wonder during matches, caught out of position far too often, has shown to be a risk while playing in defence
7): RYAN CHRISTIE – A good player (when he decides to show up) but not as good as he thinks he is in his head, clearly bought into his own hype and plays for himself, hence the earned nick name ‘ Christie FC’. Never showed up this season and played as if he couldn’t care less when he did. Clearly wants out and should be punted as soon as. Never to be forgiven for letting the Celtic fans down due to his arrogance and lacklustre performances, a charlatan that should never be forgiven
8): TOM ROGIC - A great player (when he decides to show up) far too lazy though, temperamental player (like Ntcham) that spends far too long going missing during games, clearly played like he didn’t care this season, Celtic should cut their losses. Another charlatan that should never be forgiven for letting the club and the fans down when they needed him the most
9): MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI – Another very talented player, second year with the club, he’s shown flashes of brilliance here, there and everywhere but this season we’ve seen why he never made the grade at Southampton despite his large price tag. like Rogic, a very temperamental player that spends far too long going missing during games.
10): LEIGH GRIFFITHS - I have lost all respect for the lad, when he was going through his difficult patch the club and the fans stood by him. In the 10IAR season, he disrespects the club, manager and fans by showing up unfit and when on the pitch he gave uninspiring lacklustred displays, played (when he did) as if he couldn’t care, the club cannot afford to waste any more time on him, needs booted out. He let the fans and the club down badly, a charlatan that should never be forgiven for letting the club and the fans down when they needed him the most
11): PATRYK KLIMALA – This young lad has the heart of a lion, worked his arse off during pre-season and conducted himself in a very professional manner (which is to be commend) gives his all when on the pitch but unfortunately all that effort appears to have no end product. If there was something there, I’m sure it would have been picked up on by now and have elevated him to a first team pick. should be moved on
12): ODSONNE EDOUARD – Putting aside the goals he’s scored in the past two seasons, in the season of seasons, he disrespected the club (that made him into the player he now is) and the fans (that pay his wages) by throwing the rattle out of the pram and downing tools because during contract negations he couldn’t get that special clause that he wanted injected into his contract in order to benefit him and him only. COVID excuses where concocted to explain away his absence for refusing to play. In the season of seasons, he gave his all for the French under 21 side but downed tools on Celtic. Only now (after the 10IAR is gone), he decides to show up and play his way out of Celtic, a charlatan that should never be forgiven for letting the club and the fans down when they needed him the most
13): BOLI BOLINGOLI-MBOMBO – An immoral scumbag, that disrespected the fans, the club, and the manager by placing the lives of his fellow professionals/staff and the wider community at risk during a pandemic to fly out for a booty call to Spain. Celtic should boot him out and sue him
14): BAYO – Simply not good enough, should be sold as soon as
15): SHEVED – Like Ryan Christie, thinks he better than he is, a player with anti-social behaviour problems, doesn’t mix well with fellow team mates, doesn’t bother to show up to training, Celtic should cut their losses.