Analysing the Squad

Midfield and attack are excellent. The defence is still a problem.

GK: Gordon is a good 'keeper but I'd like to see a younger goalie signed to take over next season.

RB: Lustig's lack of pace worries me. He's still a steady enough player but, and I've thought this for a while, I'm not sure he really suits Rodgers style of play tbh. Ralston is still extremely raw and Gamboa is out of the picture.

CB: I want a quality centre half to partner Jozo. Boyata may well do the job at CL level, but I wont hold my breath.

LB: Our back up options are Calvin Miller and Johnny Hayes. Hardly inspiring.

 

I agree. Celtic were never given a chance in all the big European games that we came away from with victories. After the group draw last year it was the same, prophets of doom predicting embarrassment. We didn't do so bad. The Man City home game springs to mind. Our attacking intent. Our intention to play the pressing, passing game we always play. And we played it and we scored goals, and Man City went home wondering what they'd just witnessed.

 

Central defence isn't good enough- even with them all fit (which is rarely the case anyway).
Very surprised and disappointed that this wasn't addressed over the months that the window was open. One young South African player fails a medical so that's that. Major mistake imo.

 

When are Boyata and Sviatchenko back?
Even if they are back we needed cover there anyway. PSG and Bayern were going to be hard enough games for us but instead we will be going into the game against two of the best front lines in the world with one centre half and a midfielder. Absolute joke.

 

Much the same as a lot of folk are saying -

GK: Fine for this season, but next summer we should be replacing De Vries with a GK that can challenge Gordon for top spot.

RB: Next summer we need to invest in someone to match KT's level. Lustig is a great servant but is starting to creak a wee bit. Gamboa is ok backup but yet to see him as 'quality'

CB: If we don't get a Free Transfer in this week then we need to look at this in January - really should be someone of a first-team standard, wouldn't mind an older head to bring up the young ones. Priority for the winter.

LB: Hopefully KT stays fit for the big games, happy with Miller to deputise domestics, see how he does and if we need a backup in for next summer. We have cover of sorts (or convert big Joe Ledley to an LB on a free!)

CM/CAM: One of the strongest pools of talent in the middle for a long time. Mixture of guile, class, passing, energy, strength and creativity. Awesome.

Wings: Finally 2 wingers for each side. Great first choice and solid backups for domestic games.

CF: Do i say it? Maybe the strongest we've been in this department since Henrick, Sutton and Hartson? Especially as we only play one up top now?


Basically, our Midfield and Attack is * banter. A quality GK, CB and RB we'd have the best squad (not necessarily team) i can think of.

That's positive right?

 

Cant complain midfield and attack, super happy with that.

Goalie isn't a problem, although backup aint looking rosey.

CB is a problem, Jozo I like, Erik fell from grace and Boyata looked good but looks sloppy later as he progressed under BR.

Lustig I like, Gamboa offers something a bit different.

KT for me doesn't look right since Izzy left, no competition? He's been poor in Europe for me out with a great 1st half against As tan a. Wonder if he's hitting the gym, as he seems to go missing in 2nd half out of juice. I'm sure he'll be fine though.

Backup at CB is worrying big Ajer for SPL to build him, Bitton no more please at CB.

 

I am honestly still * raging today that we never got a CB, as pointed out the rest of the team is fine and has loads of depth. But LB and CB is a massive worry if any major injuries happen in those areas then we are *.

 

That is a worry for sure.

You have to think he was given some assurances when he took the job though, I can't see the board going back on any financial agreements made when Brendan took the job.

 

People are freaking out about RB when we have 2 internationals and a good young back up. Gamboa deserves more of a chance!

 

I think the original post pretty much summons up my attitude. Good post and think we are stronger with the players we brought in while maintaining the core of our team. Still disappointed we didn't get a CB in but hopefully we will in January and I'm thrilled to see the young Paris striker in action. Does anyone think we could have got him with Deila still in charge?

 

You cannot build a team for Europe overnight though, look at the average age of our signings then look at the average age of our starting 11. Building a young team with some experience that will grow together.

 

Hopefully Boyata lives up to the managers praise. Not sure what's happening for the psg game but rushing a player in to play in such a big game won't work.

 

I noticed this with KT, when Bitton and AJer are playing together KT seems to get pulled out of position, almost like he doesn't trust them, natural reaction to cover the weak spot I suppose.

 

* playing Bitton against them, move Lustig in one beside Jozo and play Ralston or Gamboa at RB.

 

This, its pretty obvious I would have thought as well tbh.

 

We'd hammer Strachan's team IMO.

Imagine Sinclair, Roberts, Griff and Rogic up against a back 4 of Telfer, Caldwell, McManus & Naylor