According to the latest reports from Estadio Deportivo, Celtic haven’t made any contact with the right-back Antonio Barragan who currently plies his trade for Real Betis. The report also mentions that the player has no intention of joining the Scottish heavyweights even if an approach is to be made.
Reports from Scottish Daily Mail (July 24, Page 82) had indicated that Barragan was among the list of contenders that Celtic could target for the right-back position. The club recently signed Hatem Abd Elhamed who is seen as a right-back option. However, if the club goes on to sign another right-sided defender, then, likely, Elhamed is only seen as a backup option for that position.
Barragan is currently in the final year of his contract, so one might have thought that he could have been a plausible option. The fullback famously had a spell in England before with Liverpool where he joined them from Sevilla on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old fullback made 24 appearances in all competitions last season. Barragan never really managed to hold down the first-team spot. However, he is said to be happy at Betis where he joined last summer and is open to extending his contract.
What can he bring to the table?
The experienced defender has close to 190 appearances in the La Liga. Barragan is known for his strength and physicality, and we think that was probably one of the significant reasons why Celtic looked at him. The defender is also known for his link-up play, and he could have been a decent option on the attacking front. Defensively, Barragan is a committed defender as he loves going into tackles.
However, now he is on a decline and is in the final phase of his career. Celtic might have got one or two good seasons out of him, but it is fair to say that Barragan is past his prime. The club would be better off looking at someone else to fill the right-back position. Therefore missing out on him isn’t too big a blow for the club.
What should Lennon do?
The season is already underway, but Celtic are yet to solve their right-back woes completely. The club should be on the lookout for a young and hungry defender. The Hoops are supposedly in a good financial condition, and they should look to solve their problems once and for all by signing a standout option.
