Celtic Sqaud as it stands Until 2026

The vast majority of players look low in confidence, physically and mentally drained(even before the trip to Kazakhstan),which is concerning so early in the season.
These factors contribute to my vote of yes to the question,sadly.

 

Voted no, for a single, simple reason... There was no "I don't know" option for that particular question.

There's about 7-8 players in that squad I can't say about. I also can't say about how the players will respond to the challenge - although I'd hazard a guess as "not well".

This is a very knee * thread, and a generic 30 years brush was a bit too wide for me. If you want a specific "worse" squad, I'd say that any one that actually LOST A LEAGUE are worse because that's the benchmark. There's nothing I see that makes me think this squad definitely will...

Had question been "is this the most self-weakened, unnecessarily risky squad in recent times, which failed to utilise the possibility to strengthen and gain positive alignment to a long-term strategy?" I would've broken my phone by how quickly I smashed the yes answer...

 

For the record, by the way, I've no issues with anyone else voting yes, given how incredibly depressing the board have made the entire atmosphere around the club right now...

 

Lou Macari’s was worse, older heads whose legs had gone, was a grim time his and Brady’s sides.

I mentioned this in another thread as well, * depressing

 

Not as bad a team as the COVID one for me but the attacking options are a big downgrade on what we had 2 years ago.

Need to hope Balik & Tounekti hit the ground running and one of Kenny & Shin step up to the plate.

 

Said it before, this is a glorious chance for Hearts to go for the title this season.

 

That squad especially with all the injuries, doesn't win the league imo.

 

Be like 94/95 where we finished 4th.

 

Going forward we look weak as *. Even after all the emotions of last night. I honestly don't see us a favourites for the league. Abysmal window.

 

That is one of the worst Celtic sides in the history of the club

 

We have left the door open now for Rangers.

Their American crowd have got a lot wrong - but they have shown they are serious about investing in the team and moving the club forwards.

Our board you would have to conclude is prioritising accumulating money above all else.

Its only a matter of time before Rangers reel us in now unless there a change in how we operate.

 

Unless Simpson Pusey is a 30 goals a season type of centre half then we will struggle

 

Defensively it's not that bad, but going forward there's nothing. I mean nothing. We may as well get Jose or Dyche in and play for 1-0 wins.
Murray to be top goalscorer

 

The defense and midfield is okay - I’d actually argue the backline is one of the strongest in a long time

But the attack.. only Maeda that I trust, with Balikwisha and Tounekti being unknowns

Honestly hope we can somehow survive and spend big in Jan

 

The will have us reeled in by January we are only going one way backwards

 

The worst strike force we’ve ever had.

Kenny is Falkirk level. Osmand might be even lower currently.

And Shin…we don’t know but his form suggests he’s miles off our level.

Then you look at the wingers…

 

Sometimes situations like this mean someone will step up. Shin to the rescue. Atleast he's had a season of scoring at a high rate. Let's give him a chance. About time we developed someone anyway.

Pray the new wingers blow us away.

 

Certainly one of the worst i can remember. Goalkeeper on decline and a left back struggling. Ralston was horrendous on sunday , hopefully AJ is back sooner than suggested . Midfield all the same , not one can burst forward, no heart or dig and none can tackle a fish supper . Sold our best winger , best strikers in the last 2 windows and not replaced them . I can not get my head round how we couldn’t get a right winger in . It’s going to be a long season as the football has been terrible and I can’t see it getting better . There is a really good chance we could lose the league this season .

 

Time will tell and keeping our team fit and healthy will be crucial.

Our defence I'm fine with. No issues there. Would have preferred a better option to alternate with Tierney as Saracchi just looks like we are plugging a gap which is what we are.

Our midfield is stale right now. None of them are firing and we are crying out for a proper 6 and a move creative to reduce the reliance on Hatate to create. I'm hopeful that though that if our attack starts to click with Balikwisha and Tounekti they will improve and regain confidence. I thought McArdle looked bright at the end of last season and certainly a creative type. If he is going well with the B team he should get minutes.

Our attack is the huge issue, especially the wings. Forrest and Yang are impact players better off the bench than starting. Nygren is not a winger, Maeda offers zero creativity so needs to play with other creative players. So there is a huge onus on Balikwisha and Tounekti. I have huge hopes for Tounekti, I think he looks exactly what we need but time will tell whether he's more Jota than Yang. Balikwisha can't really be judged on Sunday, I think he's probably the guy who should play on the right, seems to be more about getting crosses in so might be more suited there than Tounekti. Our season will hinge on how good these two signings are IMO and whether our talent identification will bail our board out.

Up top I don't really see the need for Iheanacho. Kenny and Yamada are unproven but are much better career trajectories than Iheanacho who was a decent player and one point but it's rarer these players on a downward trajectory ever turn it around in their late 20s.

I'd be looking at Maeda through the middle and Yamada and Kenny getting opportunities in certain games when we need a freshening up. I actually think Maeda could do with a spell on the sideline for a few weeks. We have flogged him for years now and he does not look himself and very low on confidence. Give Yamada the chance at Rugby Park and see how he does with.

I think we should keep Yang until January rather than selling him to Belgium. If the two new lads are off to the AFCON then we are light out wide.