The insanity of the transfer window is finally over and the players, as well as their managers, now can concentrate on the new football campaign until January. Scottish Premiership is no exception either where the big guns like Celtic, Aberdeen, and Rangers have strengthened their line up in order to achieve season objectives.
Rangers, under Pedro Caixinha, has revamped the squad with 11 new signings to stop Celtic’s dominance and prevent their bitter rivals from winning the 7th consecutive league title. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, however, mostly concentrated on retaining their key players who played a massive part in the unbeaten domestic treble winning campaign and still going strong this season securing a Champions League berth after progressing through the playoff rounds.
Celtic are currently 2nd in the Scottish Premiership table with 10 points from 4 outings, only 2 points behind of Aberdeen who were the runners up in all three domestic competitions last season.
Transfers – Ins and Outs
Celtic FC, nevertheless, managed to keep hold of their top performers like Moussa Dembélé, Kieran Tierney, and Scott Sinclair despite heavy interests from a host Premier League outfits and successfully loaned in Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts for one more season following his scintillating 18-month loan spell with the Hoops.
The former Liverpool gaffer has brought in three more exciting prodigies namely Kundai Benyu from English Championship side Ipswich Town, highly-rated Manchester City midfielder Olivier Ntcham who has already established himself as a first team regular following some imposing performances and French youth international Odsonne Édouard on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris St-Germain. In terms of experience, former Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes has joined the Bhoys as the veteran Irishman is believed to add much-needed experience in Celtic’s youthful squad.
Strengths
Celtic now have plenty of options in their attack in form of Leigh Griffiths, Moussa Dembele and new recruit Odsonne Edouard who will add enough goals whereas the wide players like Scott Sinclair, James Forrest, Patrick Roberts and Jonny Hayes will provide quality support banking on their link up play, crosses and channel runs.
Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor, and Stuart Armstrong have been majestic in an advanced midfield role and the likes of Nir Bitton, skipper Scott Brown and new arrival Olivier Ntcham will provide enough cover in holding midfield as well as deep-lying playmaking role.
Weaknesses
The Hoops, however, had a massive gamble of not strengthening their back-line despite the departure of veteran Kolo Toure and injury concerns of first team regulars Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic and Eric Sviatchenko. Their defence needed reinforcements but Rodgers opted to play the likes of Nir Bitton, Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney in makeshift central defensive roles.
Also, veteran custodian Craig Gordon has been highly inconsistent and the Hoops should have invested in a new keeper who could be viewed as a long-term successor of Gordon.
Exceptions From 2016-17 Season
Celtic will be taking part in four major competitions this season including prestigious UEFA Champions League where they have been drawn alongside Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Belgian champions Anderlecht. Although the defensive vulnerability might not impact their domestic objective due to lack of proper competition and the Bhoys should defend their ‘domestic treble’ (Scottish Premiership, League Cup and Scottish Cup), they, however, might face humiliation in Champions League group stage and even find it hard to finish above Anderlecht in order to continue their European dreams in 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.
