The summer of 2021 was the beginning of a brand-new era for Celtic following the arrival of Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager was a surprise choice to replace Neil Lennon, at the time. But six months later, the Hoops seem to have made the right decision.
The former Yokohama F. Marinos boss has brought an electric and exciting style of football back to Celtic Park. And Postecoglou wasted no time in leaving his imprint on the squad, with the 56-year-old making a whopping 12 first-team signings in the summer.
After the big-money departures of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer, there was plenty of cash to spend in pre-season. And Postecoglou went to town with this transfer budget with an impressive squad refresh.
Some of the new arrivals have already become cult heroes, others have been forgotten about, and here at HITC Football, we are ranking every signing Celtic made this summer.
Liel Abada
Celtic have an impressive recent history of signing Israel players, and Liel Abada is so far proving to be another hit for the Hoops. A reported £3.5m attacker from Maccabi Petah Tikva, the 20-year-old winger has already made himself an important part of the club’s attacking line.
With seven goals and six assists in all competitions, the youngster is proving to be a coup of a signing for the Hoops. And out on the right-wing, Abada could easily become a key part of Postecoglou’s system for many seasons to come.
Ranking: 8/10
Cameron Carter-Vickers
After the failed loan signing of Shane Duffy last season, there were some reservations on how Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers would do for Celtic. However, the American international has been a home run for the Glasgow giants.
The centre-back has been ever-present in the Celtic defence since arriving in late August. And with reports suggesting that the Hoops are eager to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent deal, Postecoglou seems keen to retain the Spurs youngster beyond this season.
Ranking: 7/10
Georgios Giakoumakis
With the departure of Edouard to Crystal Palace, a top-tier striker was needed at Celtic Park, and Georgios Giakoumakis looked to be the perfect man for the task. After all, an attacker who the year before who had been the top-scorer in the Eredivisie was bound to succeed in Scotland… right?
Unfortunately, things have just not worked out so far for Giakoumakis. Injuries and a severe lack of form have seen the 27-year-old just score once in all competitions and make just two starts for the Hoops. And given the hype surrounding the former VVV-Venlo star, the attacker has been a huge dud for the Scottish giants.
Ranking: 2/10
Kyogo Furuhashi
From one player many expected to one many expected nothing from Kyogo Furuhashi has been an absolute revelation for Celtic this season after following Postecoglou from Japan to Glasgow.
The Japanese attacker has simply been a sensation for Celtic, with Kyogo bringing bundles of goals, flare and creativity to the Hoops frontline, as well as a new wave of Japanese supporters to the club and potentially an opening of a new market for the Scottish giants based on rumours heading into the January window.
Ranking: 9/10
Joe Hart
Arguably the biggest name Celtic brought in this summer, there was some scepticism around Hart’s arrival based on his form over the past few years since leaving Manchester City. However, based on what the Hoops needed between the sticks, the former England international has been a welcome addition.
Whilst there have been some mistakes that seem to come with the package of playing for the Hoops, Hart has brought leadership and accountability to the backline. And this has shown with Postecoglou handing the keeper the armband on more than one occasion for Celtic this season.
Ranking: 7/10
Jota
Where do we even begin with Jota? The attacker arrived from Benfica with the looks and swagger of a Portuguese David Beckham, and so far, the youngster has delivered on almost every occasion.
Just like Kyogo, the winger has asserted himself in Celtic folklore just mere months after arriving. And like fellow loan arrival Carter-Vickers, supporters will be begging the club and Postecoglou to make this move a permanent one in the summer.
Ranking: 9/10
Josip Juranovic
The arrival of Josip Juranovic was seen as an excellent signing from the club, with the right-back position being an area that Celtic had needed work on for some time. However, the Croatian international has seemingly awoken a beast inside Anthony Ralston.
The now-Scottish international has arguably been Celtic’s best player this season, with Ralston performing so well that Juranovic has had to take refuge in the left-back position. However, this has proven to be a smart move, with the 26-year-old flourishing on the opposite flank as the Hoops bolster one of the best fullback partnerships in Scotland.
Ranking: 7/10.
James McCarthy
Just like with Hart, there was some doubt when James McCarthy was signed following a departure from Crystal Palace. Yet unlike his goalkeeping counterpart, it has been a slow start for the Republic of Ireland international.
The Glasgow-born midfielder has had to wait his turn to adapt to life in Celtic. However, with McCarthy now starting to play more regularly and catching the eye of Postecoglou, the former Everton star could become a key piece of the Hoops midfield in the second half of the campaign.
Ranking: 5/10
Liam Scales
Probably the most obscure of all the signings in the summer, Liam Scales arrived in Celtic as a relative unknown in the wider British football scene from Shamrock Rovers. And whilst appearances have been hard to come by, the 23-year-old has shown his quality whenever given the chance.
The youngster bagged within minutes of his SPL debut, and at just 23, Scales could have a long-term future with Celtic once he has become adjusted to the Scottish game after spending his career in Ireland.
Ranking: 6/10
Carl Starfelt
With injuries plaguing Christopher Jullien’s Celtic career, Carl Starfelt was signed to help ease the defensive burden for Celtic. And the Swedish international has done a solid job since arriving from Russia.
Alongside Carter-Vickers, the defender has adapted well to Celtic and is seemingly progressing with each passing game. And with Jullien out for an unknown period, Starfelt’s importance to the team grows week-by-week.
Ranking: 7/10
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