Strachan urged to splash out on a new striker
McGarvey is unconvinced that Georgios Samaras (left) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink offer enough firepower should Scott McDonald suffer an injury. Picture: Getty
FORMER Celtic striker Frank McGarvey fears for his old club's title hopes if Gordon Strachan does not buy another goalscorer.
While Rangers have added three frontmen to take their tally to nine, Celtic boss Strachan is going into August with just three experienced forwards in his first-team squad.
McGarvey is unconvinced that "injury-prone" Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and "unproven" Georgios Samaras offer enough should last season's 31-goal top scorer Scott McDonald suffer an injury.
Samaras chipped in with six goals but began the vast majority of games on the bench following his loan move from Manchester City, who sold him to Celtic this summer.
And with Derek Riordan banished to the reserves and Chris Killen with New Zealand's Olympic team, McGarvey is concerned at the lack of cover.
"They have got Killen who is away to play in the Olympics, which I think is wrong," said McGarvey at the launch of his biography, Totally Frank.
"Celtic pay his wages – his responsibility first is to Celtic and he is not doing that.
"They are left with Vennegoor of Hesselink, who is injury-prone, Samaras, who has not really proved himself over 90 minutes, and young Scott McDonald, who is a star.
"So if anything happens to Scott McDonald, Celtic will be in trouble.
"I think Celtic have got to bring in another striker, they can't leave themselves scarce of strikers.
"If everyone stays injury-free then they will be fine, but forwards especially do get injured because they get tackles put into them.
"I would get in another striker, and a good centre-half, and if they do that, I think Celtic will win the league."
Celtic have supplemented their title-winning squad with just one newcomer, former Derry winger Pat McCourt, who has missed much of pre-season with injury.
A deal for Romania and Auxerre defender Gabriel Tamas appeared to collapse last week over finances and McGarvey believes the club are paying for their generosity to the high-earning likes of Bobo Balde and Thomas Gravesen.
Celtic are keen for Balde to leave while Strachan has told Gravesen he does not fit into his system.
But McGarvey, who became one of Celtic's best-paid players in 1980 when he signed for £300 a week, insists the players are right to dig in their heels.
"They are trying to get Balde and Gravesen off the wage bill, which is £70,000 a week," said the former Liverpool and St Mirren striker.
"I think they have got to get them off their wage bill before they can bring anyone else in.
"Gravesen is only doing what any other guy in the world would do – staying and getting the money.
"I don't think he is to blame. What player is not going to sign a lucrative contract? I think Celtic are to blame for giving him it."
Strachan revealed last week that Celtic are pursuing "four or five" targets, one of whom is thought to be 20-year-old Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas, who could join on loan.
But winger Aiden McGeady has revealed the current players are focused on continuing their winning run in the SPL.
"Every season at Celtic is massive but the last few years have been special," the 22-year-old told the Celtic View.
"To be part of a Celtic team to win three titles in succession was incredible.
"This season, the title takes on even more significance because we are all determined to do everything we can to make it four."
The full article contains 597 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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- Last Updated: 29 July 2008 3:53 PM
- Source: The Scotsman
- Location: Edinburgh
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