The signing of a left Wingback was a key requirement for Celtic and Ange Postecoglou going forward.
He’s been a bit hamstrung on the left side of the Park since his arrival due to the lack of attacking options from deep in that area of the Park.
Whilst Greg Taylor has done a solid job converting to a Inverted Fullback who can come inside in the new Inverted role Ange loves he has struggled to develop on the outside with the constant demands that the Wingback role requires at a Club like ours.
It is one of if not the most demanding roles in the game but even more so at a side like ours who spend most games on the front foot and attacking relentlessly.
The levels of stamina required to continually run the full length of the pitch (and back again) are immense at this level.
Couple that with requirement to be calm and composed enough to deliver quality ball at the end of it (whilst blowing oot yer Erchie) then it is a very difficult position to play successfully.
Hence why wingbacks tend to be in high demand.
Greg has improved no doubt from the Left Back who arrived and got a nose bleed every time he ventured over the halfway line and in particular when asked to the Invert on the inside under new boss Postecoglou.
He’s a solid defender Greg and I believe still has a key role to play when we come up against much tougher opponents who will have extended periods of possession in Europe.
Same with Anthony Ralston on the right hand side who like Taylor has vastly improved in these aspects of his game.
The fact remained though that when we are dominating the ball and attacking Juranovic would always be the preferred option as a player who can go on the overlap or alternatively come inside with ease.
He like the new bhoy Bernabie has both the technical ability and the engine to do so for 90 minutes.
This is why Bernabie’s signing is key.
Having two wingbacks will give us way more flexibility in tactics and approach.
Even within Postecoglou’s preferred 4-3-3 System.
Having two wingbacks who can come inside or out enables more flexibility in the attack as the outside players will now have the option of coming inside to join the lead striker in the box.
This should see more options up front develop.
Also a swap from a single pivot to a double pivot in Midfield whilst maintaining the basic 4-3-3 shape.
More defensive in one sense (ie McGregor gets more help) whilst keeping a genuine threat on the counter.
Bernabie is the key signing in this window let’s hope he’s as good (and consistent) as he looks on YouTube because if he is we will be a different animal this Season under Ange.
You’re absolutely right, Bernabei was a key signing for Celtic, and from what I’ve seen of him he looks a class act.
It’s also great news that Jota has now committed his long term future to Celtic alongside CCV.
We will definitely be a different animal this season.
Whether Ange decides to bring in another couple of players, or not, we are looking much stronger, that’s for sure.
But as Chris Sutton quite rightly points out in his Daily Record column, we still need a holding midfielder and some defence reinforcements.
But whether that’s a bridge too far money-wise we’ll just have to wait and see.
I think Giakoumakis will benefit greatly from this signing,from what I’ve seen his delivery into the central portion of the box in particular is excellent.
He also has the ability to find the opposing wide player coming in late also.
Hopefully he will thrive at Celtic through having more opportunities to get involved in the attack under Ange.