Why Celtic must improve on their squad depth this summer

Last season, many were under no illusions that reinforcements were badly needed, despite Brendan Rodgers’ side sealing a league and Scottish Cup double in his first season back at the club. Whilst signings such as Luis Palma, Paulo Bernardo and especially Adam Idah stepped up to the plate, recruitment was generally seen as being poor for the most part, whilst vulnerable areas on the pitch were left neglected once again, costing the club in vital moments – particularly in the Champions League.

Despite the continuing reports concerning the return of both Idah and Bernardo, both remain at their parent clubs for the time being. With the league campaign set to kick off in little over a week, The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay assesses the squad depth at this present time, to gauge what areas are sufficiently equipped – and where the club need to efficiently bolster this summer.

Goalkeepers

First of all, let’s deal with the sole positive of this window so far concerning transfer incomings - the goalkeeping position. Two international shot-stoppers have been acquired by the club, including Premier League winner Schmeichel of Denmark and Finland’s Sinisalo – who signed from Aston Villa just days prior. A clear pathway has been formed for the latter, whilst the experience and qualities of the departed Joe Hart have been retained in the former – and then some. With Benjamin Siegrist now plying his trade for Neil Lennon at Rapid Bucharest, Scott Bain will no-doubt assume the role as third-choice keeper in his place.

Although not listed in the squad depth diagram, both Josh Clarke and Tobi Oluwayemi are still involved with first-team matters on the US tour for Celtic, though their futures likely lie away from Rodgers’ first-team plans, at least for now. In the case of the latter, the writing may be on the wall after successive loan failures at Cork City and Admira Wacker – not helped by injuries, admittedly.

Defence

Full-backs

The Celtic full-back areas are lop-sided at present, thanks to an inability to improve upon Greg Taylor on the left. His supposed successor Alexandro Bernabei – who failed to get any sort of form going at any point – now plays in Brazil, whilst his only real competition is that of Matthew Anderson, who excelled at Admira Wacker in the Austrian second-tier last campaign. It is realistically too soon to talk about Mitchel Frame - regardless of his sole appearance versus Feyenoord last December - though he may fancy his chances if given another opportunity to stake his claim.

Realistically, this has been an area that the club have largely neglected since the departure of Kieran Tierney back in 2019. The opposite side has also had that accusation attributed to it in the not-so-distant past, though this does not apply presently. Compared to previous campaigns, the right-back area is in good shape, with Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston both providing international experience on this side.

Additionally, the pre-season emergence of Colby Donovan means that the club are well-stocked for the future, even if the youngster’s game-time may occur mainly in the B team this campaign. If there is one side of the defence that needs some attention in the transfer market this summer, then it is on the left, particularly in the full-back area.

With Taylor’s contract up next summer, you would expect (or hope for) some movement to happen concerning this position in the very near future, especially for European escapades in the Champions League. With Wolves’ Hugo Bueno being linked in recent days, this could be an area that will feel the benefits of the transfer window’s power.

Centre-backs

Easily one of the busiest areas at the club concerning numbers, the centre of defence provides Rodgers and the club with a complex conundrum to solve. An area that many have expressed a keenness to see addressed in terms of strength in depth, the amount of bodies means that this may prove tricky.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is the only true stalwart in this sector, with the USA international effectively an automatic starter when fit. Though Liam Scales earned a new deal through his consistently solid performances – especially in the first-half of last season – not many will argue against the belief that a better-quality dance partner for Carter-Vickers is required here.

Last summer’s big-money defensive acquisition Maik Nawrocki had an injury-hit debut season in Scotland, with any forward momentum this summer being halted by his latest knock suffered at Somerset Park earlier this month. Gustaf Lagerbielke – another new signing this around time last year – was deemed surplus to Rodgers’ requirements midway through last season, though any talks of a move away have died down. Stephen Welsh still has three years left on his deal, whilst Yuki Kobayashi continues to feature in pre-season despite his transfer availability being widely known.

All of this points to an area where quality is needed over quantity. While most of these defensive options would ‘do the job’ in most domestic encounters – particularly at home – only Carter-Vickers is a certainty to feature in this position. A player like Burnley’s Dara O’Shea would rejuvenate this lop-sided area of the field, though those links have gone quiet, too.

Midfielders

Celtic’s engine room is currently awash with talent, potential and sheer numbers, though there may be scope for a mini clear-out concerning deadwood in the side. Callum McGregor usually occupies the deeper role in the midfield, with the captain an ever-present when available for selection. Just behind him in this sector is Tomoki Iwata, who was relied upon both as a makeshift replacement for his skipper and as a means of solidification late-on in games to close out results. Not a flashy player by any means, the Japan holding midfielder knows his role, and gets on with it to the best of his abilities.

Perhaps the midfield wildcard around this area is that of Odin Thiago Holm, who has featured pretty heavily in the club’s pre-season preparations after a mixed start to his Celtic career. Undoubtedly gifted with the ball at his feet, he may be the surprise package this season if trusted to feature for Rodgers’ side. There were hopes that Bosun Lawal could be in this position, too, but it seems as if a move – either temporary or permanent – may be on the cards for the Irishman again after a sharp reduction in pre-season game-time.

The two first-choice starters further forward in midfield are the heartbeat of everything positive concerning creativity at the club – Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley. For the former, there has been little talk about concrete interest in the player, whilst unfortunately the same cannot be said for the latter. Indeed, it seems as if the whole of Europe has their eyes on the Dane, with the transfer vultures swirling around the player’s availability this summer. If his valuation is met, then you would expect O’Riley to depart, which would leave a gaping hole in both the position on the pitch and in Celtic’s goal contributions statistically.

At the time of writing, Bernardo has yet to make his return to the club permanently, despite Portuguese media being confident that the Benfica academy graduate will take his talents to the east end of Glasgow. If and when this occurs, it will surely mean a need for the likes of Lawal and Kwon Hyeok-kyu to leave for more regular minutes at another team - either on loan or permanently – as Bernardo will be in line for extended game-time, especially as a fully-fledged Celtic player.

Though not included on the squad depth graphic, players such as Liam Shaw, Daniel Kelly and James McCarthy clearly have no future at the club – for differing reasons.

Forwards

Wingers

Another contentious area of the pitch, as Celtic’s wingers have left a lot to be desired over the past year or so. Indeed, ever since the collective departure of Liel Abada and especially Jota to the USA and Saudi Arabia respectively, the left and right-wing slots have seen a reduction in productivity.

Daizen Maeda – for all of his faults technically – is an effective player, especially off the ball defensively in pressurising the opponent. Though not prolific, he is a goal threat at times, and his commitment to the cause cannot be understated. For this reason, he will start many games next season ahead of Palma. Despite hitting double digits in both goals and assists last term, the Honduras international’s form was hit and miss, though he has shown signs of encouragement in pre-season, especially out of possession.

Speaking of encouragement in pre-season, perhaps the best performance of the US trip thus far has come from Nicolas Kuhn, who ran Manchester City ragged in North Carolina in Celtic’s thrilling 4-3 win. After a slow start to his career at the club, Kuhn has shown glimpses of real quality, with a potential breakout season in the making for the German wide-man this term. With the experience and know-how of James Forrest, the right-wing position could be much more fruitful this campaign, even with the Michel-Ange Balikwisha rumours continuing to swirl.

In the case of Yang Hyun-jun, his versatility may be his biggest strength – or the reason he sticks around this season instead of a loan deal elsewhere. His ability to play on both sides may secure a first-team berth, though his performances will have to improve in order for the South Korea winger to have any real chances at succeeding in Glasgow. For Mikey Johnston, however, it would seem like his chances have run out, even under the manager that gave him his debut back in 2017. A permanent solution would be the best move for all parties, especially after impressing on loan in the English Championship with West Brom.

Strikers

Unfortunately, this may be the quickest area to discuss, as Celtic currently only have one recognised striker at the club presently – Kyogo Furuhashi. Following Oh Hyeon-gyu’s recent departure to Belgian side Genk and Idah’s return to parent club Norwich City, the side are extremely light in this area of the park.

Maeda can deputise in this area – he plays here for his national team – though you would expect the club will be looking to bolster this position significantly in the duration of this window. Idah or otherwise, the club again need reinforcements in this area – an area which can bet the difference between a win and dropping points. With the transfer rumours dying down concerning the return of Idah, Rodgers’ side may have to look elsewhere for goals, especially with the very prospect of a congested fixture slate on the horizon next campaign. The season kicks off next Sunday and Celtic have one striker – this is a position that needs addressing, and fast.

Summary

Overall, the squad as a whole has plenty of individuals numerically, but only a handful of players who are nailed-on starters week after week. The club relies on their gifted players – O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate and Kyogo – to get them results, whilst the solidity of Johnston and Carter-Vickers at the back can be trusted to get them out of a hole defensively if in a pinch.

However, the volume of players who will not feature consistently over the season and still find themselves on the payroll is far too high. Celtic have got to get tough over players who are realistically not going to make a sustained impact and move them on, through either temporary or permanent measures. This will allow new recruits to join and push for places vacated by those who leave, as well as the next generation of youth players who dream of making it for the senior team.

For all of their sakes, let’s hope the next month or so is a busy one for the club in that regard.