If ‘revolution’ was the story of last summer, then now is the time for ‘evolution’
Ange Postecoglou has succesfully laid the foundations for a new dynasty while clearing away the rubble of the old one. Now, with a squad chock-full of new faces marking their first Scottish Premiership campaigns with a highly convincing title win, Postecoglou and co must ensure that the sky-high standards do not drop, that the dreaded symptoms of second-season syndrome can be avoided.
A couple of intelligent additions in key positions should ensure a high level competition remains behind the scenes at Parkhead. Celtic’s unlike last year, are strengthening from a position of strength.
Greg Taylor was one of Celtic’s most improved players in 2021/22 but his place in the starting XI ahead of next month’s opener at home to Aberdeen is far from secure with Alexandro Bernabei on his way.
According to STV, The Hoops have agreed a fee just shy of £4 million with Argentine outfit Lanus. At 21, Bernabei is far from the finished article. But he’s quicker and far more adventurous than the Taylor, and therefore arguably better suited to Postecoglou’s swashbuckling approach.
Alexandro Bernabei in, Greg Taylor out at Celtic?
Bernabei will become the second newcomer at Parkhead, following Benjamin Siegrist. The experienced shot-stopper will provide back-up to Joe Hart – arguably the finest shot-stopper in the league – and represents an immediate upgrade on the always-unconvincing Vasilis Barkas.
Celtic have also snapped up Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda on permanent moves and hope remains that Filipe Jota will follow in their footsteps before pre-season gets underway. A deal for the mesmerising Benfica loanee has dragged on for months. But, according to Portuguese publication Record, the most naturally gifted footballer in Postecoglou’s squad should finally put pen to paper on a £6.5 million transfer once he returns from a holiday in New York.
Supporters already know what to expect from Carter-Vickers, Maeda and Jota – and Siegrist to a lesser extent – but whoever becomes the club’s new number six will arrive in Glasgow as something of an unknown quantity.
Vinicius Souza is perhaps the most eye-catching of the defensive midfielders on Celtic’s radar. But he’s also the most difficult to attain, with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven interested.
A new defensive midfielder is a must
No one completed more tackles per game (3.7) than Souza in Belgium’s Jupiler League last term, and the towering 6ft 2ins ball-winner looks a perfect replacement for the departing Nir Bitton. There are doubts about whether Souza would welcome a move to the Scottish Premiership, however, even if Celtic’s connections with the City Football Group – who own the £8 million-rated midfielder’s contract – should work in their favour.
A deal for 20-year-old Amadou Mbengue, in contrast, should be far less complicated (FootMercato). Mbengue is out of contract this summer and his current employers, Metz, were relegated to Ligue 2 in May. Aberdeen, meanwhile, have opened talks to tie Connor Barron down to a new deal, as reports linking Alfa Semedo with Celtic have also been played down south of the border.
Whoever arrives, be it Souza, Mbengue, Barron or another, a new number six may free up captain marvel Callum McGregor to move back into a more advanced role. It should also help to fortify a Celtic backline which, while solid domestically, has been anything but on the continent in recent seasons.
Carter-Vickers’ new defensive partner?
In stark contrast to 12 months ago, Celtic fans can rest easy. Another summer exodus just isn’t going to happen. Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi, McGregor and co look certain to stick around. Furthermore, Josip Juranovic’s representatives insist that the all-action Croatian is happy at Parkhead. That is despite reported interest from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid (Daily Record).
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Celtic’s pursuit of a new, ball-playing centre-half. The Athletic say that Celtic were always going to target a new defender this summer, regardless of what the future held for Carter-Vickers. And, according to the Echo, Celtic have made contact with Liverpool regarding long-term target Ben Davies.
Davies would cost £4 million. A natural, left-footed option at the back would be welcomed with open arms by Postecoglou too. Carl Starfelt, who played in the left-sided centre-back role for most of last season, is more comfortable on his right foot after all.
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