Through the window.
I've seen this episode.
The positive and negative with windows is that you can see through them. They can provide a stunning vista or allow the neighbours a look at your dirty laundry.
There is nowhere to hide for the Celtic board this January. Already the clock is ticking and the lack of suitable links is ominous.
The pressure they find themselves under is not a visceral reaction to sitting third in the league. It is not due to a mere whim of fans, who to quote Ross Desmond, are inherently “Anti-establishment.” It is not solely down to an arbitrary amount of money, spent or not spent. Indeed, the fact there is the best part of £100million in the bank would be seen as a positive, if - and this is the crux of the whole matter – the squad was adequately resourced.
If planning was evident and the signing of players, illustrated something aligned to a systematic, pragmatic and modern approach to recruitment; the noise surrounding the club’s administrators wouldn’t have risen to the deafening level, it’s now at.
Again, this is not a neurotic reflex to this season’s form. It has always been the way; it was merely crystallised by the most recent disastrous window. Neither is it a figment of anyone’s imagination. Public apologies have been made, in the aftermath of last summer and the window of 2023.
We recognise we have not always got recruitment right. We must improve the quality of player we bring to the club. – Peter Lawwell.
We understand the frustration around certain windows. We are working to strengthen our processes. – Michael Nicholson.
The ambition declared here doesn’t seem to be genuine, neither does the contrition.
There have not been problems to seek this season at Celtic. The inception of 99% of it can be traced back to those in the grey suits and club ties. All this manifests itself and/or is encapsulated perfectly in the striker position. How the club have not been able to recruit a recognised striker since the departure of Kyogo Furahashi is indefensible.
It may be reductive, but even a serviceable 1 in 3 forward would probably have seen Celtic sitting top of the league just now, with a margin for error. Despite all the other deficiencies this is the most glaring.
Kelechi Ihneacho, when fit, has shown quality but it comes as no surprise given the 18 months preceding his move to Celtic, that his fitness has not been sustained for a consistent period. This was a parting gift from Rodgers remember, the transfer was only made possible due to his connection with the player and Sevilla’s willingness to tear up his contract.
Almost a year on from his departure, the Japanese forward has not been replaced.
There surely can’t be a more maligned scouting department in European football than Celtic’s. I’m not sure there actually is a department, maybe a small office or portacabin, tucked away somewhere up at Lennoxtown. Vacant. Or maybe occupied by whoever they put in post under the guise of a chief scout. The position is held only in name though.
The club recently appointed ex-Chelsea scout, James Bell-Walker. His CV highlights his expertise in specific positions of central defenders and strikers. Yet 13 days into the window we are linked with Kieron Bowie and Mohamed Bamba. One regularly plays against Celtic and the other is represented by long standing associate of the club, Dudu Dahan.
The identification of both players is hardly the work of in-depth scouting, is it? There is no way Bell-Walker came up with these two. This is not to disparage either player, more highlight the club’s lack of foresight.
Agents have agendas, they rarely come baring gifts.
The club made 11 signings last summer. Two have left the club already, having played two games between them. An exit is being sought for Shin Yamada. Balikwisha is as close to the action as I am. Ross Doohan and Kieran Tierney both previously played for the club. Iheanacho was given a 1 year-deal, Marcelo Sarrachi is on loan. Only in Sebastien Tounetki, Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand can we really spot any sort of longevity or potential.
It would be a stretch to say anyone signed has raised the level of the squad, let alone the first eleven. Again, this is not conjecture, I’ll refer you back to Nicholson’s acknowledgement and point you in the direction of the recent sacking of Paul Tisdale. Add Tisdale to the previous incumbents: Nicky Hammond, Lee Cogerton, Gary Penrice and Mark Lawwell and you have a bit of a corelation slapping you in the face. If the line manager keeps getting sacked, maybe it’s time to look at their manager, or the process itself.
Jamestown Analytics’ involvement with Hearts, has brought the club’s incompetence into sharp focus. Operating with a fraction of Celtic’s budget but appearing far better turned out. In comparison we shop at Cruise but look like a bag of washing. Heart’s signings are perfectly tailored and forensically picked to fit their needs.
Transfers and recruitment take on this mystical image. As if it’s the work of scientists, huddled in a lab and pushing the boundaries of knowledge itself. It’s not that special. It’s an everyday aspect of a football club; part of the mundane reality of running any other business with a £100million plus turnover. It is quite simply a staffing issue. A bank may call it Human Resources, but ultimately, you need people to do jobs, whether they be cashing cheques or finishing cut-backs, they are a necessity.