Classy N’Guemo Impresses, as Mowbray Targets More New Faces​

As the dust settles on Celtic’s friendly encounter against an impressive Cardiff outfit, many positives can be taken from the encounter; chances created (although not converted), a clean sheet attained, and – significantly – no injuries suffered.

Today’s headlines, however, rightly concentrate on the imperious display from new Bhoy Landry N’Guemo, who played his first full match for the Hoops.

N'Guemo - a promising start.​

N’Guemo, a loan signing from Nancy, provided the impetus that saw Celtic dominate large portions of play in Cardiff. Crisp, incisive passing, inch-perfect tackling (in one instance to prevent a certain goal), and direct running ensured that the Cameroonian midfield general won himself a horde of fans. Celtic manager Tony Mowbray was not surprised at how well N’Guemo did at the first time of asking:

“He’s a good player. In training every day we see he’s a very good footballer. It was Landry’s first full game and he’ll get better. I’ve tracked him for two years now, and he’ll be an asset to the club.”

Although early indications can oft be proved wrong, Celtic’s option to purchase N’Guemo for £1.5 million in a year’s time could prove to be a very shrewd piece of business.

Further positives were also taken with the performance of Italian Massimo Donati. Donati fell out of favour under the Gordon Strachan regime, but has reiterated his desire to impress after a fresh managerial start, and his physical presence in midfield will prove valuable to Mowbray over the season.

It is exactly this fresh start that is also expected to reignite the creative talents of players such as Wing Wizard Aiden McGeady. The young Irishman’s creativity in this fixture impressed greatly – he is an undoubted talent that Mowbray will be expected to harness in the months to come.

McGeady to recapture his magic?​

Meanwhile, Mowbray intonated that Celtic were also pursuing further signing targets to add to a squad that has lost Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Paul Hartley, Shunsuke Nakamura, Bobo Balde and Scott Cuthbert. Mowbray stated “If we can get one or two in then great. A few things are ongoing, and they either pick up speed quickly or they stumble along. Let’s wait and see.”

West Brom left back Marek Cech is reported to be amongst the list of players the Celtic gaffer is actively pursuing.

DM