Writing in his regular Daily Record column, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on the Hoops’ summer transfer window.
What’s the story?
The Hoops made five first-team signings over the summer with Jonny Hayes, Kundai Benyu, Olivier Ntcham, Patrick Roberts and Odsonne Edouard all arriving at the club.
It could be regarded as pretty good business across the board with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers adding quality to select areas and signing cover in others. Fans already know what Roberts can do, while Ntcham is already settling in expertly.
One thing they didn’t do though was sign a single defender. After conceding 16 goals in last season’s UEFA Champions League group stages, some fans saw that as a priority heading into the summer.
It was something Chris Sutton wanted to see too and he’s opened up about his feelings on the Hoops’ business overall. While he reckons the incoming stars will be a hit, he’s puzzled on the defensive front.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton said:
I have to say, I am utterly miffed at the failure to sign a centre-back in the final week of the window. Celtic, to my mind, have taken a big, big risk with this. Rodgers obviously wanted to strengthen the position. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have gone after Rivaldo Coetzee. When the deal for the South African broke down on medical grounds, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume that Celtic were going to go and get someone else in as cover. The fact they didn’t, or couldn’t, puzzles me.
Does he have a point?
While Celtic’s defence is undoubtedly good enough for their ambitions domestically both in quality and depth, when it comes to Europe the jury is still very much out.
Dedryck Boyata for example hasn’t played in Europe for the club since their ill-fated UEFA Europa League campaign two seasons ago and Erik Sviatchenko has had significant injury issues this year.
Sutton certainly seems to have a point but Brendan Rodgers has earned the trust of the Celtic support and the proof will be in the pudding when the upcoming group stage is complete.