In an age of buzzwords like ‘challenge’, ‘philosophy’ and ‘transition’, it’s exceptional what number of coaches, reminiscent of ex-Celtic ahead Wilfried Nancy, appear to be ignoring necessary traits of soccer. I gained.
Nancy, in his protection, will not be alone in his exceptional stubbornness in the best way he coaches – simply have a look at Ruben Amorim and Russell Martin – however the best way he imposes his desired system on a gaggle of unsuited gamers is solely weird, and the usage of too many sq. pegs in spherical holes in the end proved his undoing.
After the Frenchman’s self-inflicted turmoil, Martin O’Neill has regained his composure after his return and seems to have discovered one of the simplest ways to benefit from the instruments at his disposal.
Seven wins from a complete of eight video games as caretaker supervisor this season has ensured that even this tumultuous season can finish on a excessive observe, with the Hoops’ depleted squad nonetheless in competition for the Premiership title.
O’Neill’s successful mentality appears to have rubbed off on a workforce that declined below Nancy, however even at 73 he cannot carry out miracles, however he wants a brand new centre-forward.
Newest updates on Celtic’s striker search
Kogo Furuhashi left the workforce one yr in the past. Adam Ider adopted him by way of the exit door along with his final contract becoming a member of Swansea Metropolis in the summertime.
It was all a part of the plans of a well-oiled Celtic machine, with the Parkhead hierarchy making ready sufficient replacements upfront. proper?
Frustratingly, the severity of the membership’s switch negotiations is nowhere close to as evident as within the centre-forwards, with Kelechi Iheanacho, the one senior and confirmed striker arriving after the window closed.
The Nigerian has been affected by accidents since then, whereas Makoto Yamada desperately wants to attain after becoming a member of in the summertime.
These predicaments have left Celtic in Kyogo’s predicament as soon as once more, with the Hoops reportedly contemplating a mortgage transfer final week. Because it occurred, Birmingham Metropolis seem to not be eager on permitting the Japan worldwide to go away halfway by way of the season.
Different targets will doubtless must be thought-about, however the Glasgow facet are apparently on par with Rangers in terms of Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie, and the 23-year-old is believed to be attracting a variety of curiosity this month.
He’s undoubtedly an thrilling expertise, however Celtic could have issues given his reported asking value of £6.5m.
In reality, the Hoops could have to point out some endurance as they’re set to signal a promising younger striker.
Celtic have already signed Bowie
Despite the fact that Daenen Maeda scored in a make-shift centre-forward function towards Dundee United final day out, there is not any denying that Celtic want a confirmed improve earlier than the window closes.
Bowie, who has scored 9 objectives at Easter Highway this season, is gifted, however is he confirmed? Nicely, that is debatable.
The Scot, who scored 15 objectives in 50 video games for Hibs, has solely simply begun to blow up within the Premiership since shifting to Edinburgh in the summertime of 2024.
It would take time and endurance for Bowie to emerge as a mainstay within the present workforce, and Celtic will doubtless want to duplicate that success with one other rising star, Callum Osmund.
Like Bowie, who signed for Fulham after 4 years in west London, Osmund was concerned in establishing Craven Cottage’s academy earlier than his personal departure this summer time.
Not like Bowie, who loved a mortgage spell at Northampton, the Jersey-born marksman by no means actually performed on the high stage earlier than shifting to Glasgow, however has since attracted consideration in his temporary appearances to date.
Regardless of being brutally hampered by harm, the 20-year-old proved to be O’Neill’s winner as he slipped house in extra-time to beat Rangers within the Scottish League Cup semi-final, sealing their place within the high-profile competitors.
After being deserted by Brendan Rodgers for a lot of the early a part of the season, Osmund gave the impression to be making up for misplaced time with one other energetic cameo off the bench, successful a penalty from Reo Hatate within the Europa League away sport towards Midtjylland.
However on this night time in Denmark, the teenager’s affect was minimize brief as he was anticipated to be out for 5 months, making O’Neill’s striker pool much more restricted.
Celtic high scorer – 25/26 | |
|---|---|
participant | the objective |
Nygren | 11 |
Maeda | 8 |
kenny | 5 |
which one | 5 |
Engels | 4 |
Hatate | 4 |
mcgregor | 3 |
Tierney | 3 |
Iheanacho | 3 |
Statistics through Transfermarkt | |
That stated, those that took half within the Hoops persuasion definitely thought that was sufficient to be inspired, because the “lightning” ahead praised by Fulham pundit Jack Kelly is more likely to be chomping on the bit to kick-off subsequent season.
In Bowie’s case, he solely scored six objectives in complete in 2024/25 following his transfer to Fulham, but it surely was in his second season that he developed right into a talisman at Easter Highway.
It is too early to inform whether or not Osmund can do the identical at Celtic Park, however the Hoops ought to put their religion within the thrilling centre-forward they imported from south of the border, moderately than signing one other younger striker who may hinder his growth.
A greater deal than Bamba: Celtic press exhausting to signal ‘scientific’ striker
Celtic are reported to be thinking about signing a striker this month who can be a greater addition to Mohamed Bamba.
