Celtic's Evolving Philosophy, No More Definition of Insanity, & Planning for Success

Celtic's Evolving Philosophy, No More “Definition of Insanity,” & Planning for Success.​

Robbie Keane, Freddie Ljungberg, Edson Braafheid & Diomansy Kamara. 4 examples of a now antiquated signing policy that Neil Lennon confirmed at the end of December had been consigned to the scrapheap.

While Keane did what he has done for the majority of his career – show an unerring eye for goal – the other three names are symbols of a transfer logic that promised much and resulted in great fanfare. But delivered little in terms of end product.

‘I don’t want to bring in any loan players because it won’t serve any purpose going forward,’ stated Lennon. ‘Any player we do bring in I would like to be permanent.”

This change in transfer philosophy will be met with widespread approval, with fans of the Bhoys keen to see competition for Kris Commons in the role as the side’s creative spark. While Tom Rogic remains on the books at Celtic Park, he appears to be very much one for the future.

Commons - too much weight on one man's shoulders?​

In addition, the hierarchy recognise the need for someone to fill the gap left following on from Gary Hooper’s Summer departure. Filling that gap means hitting the back of the net a minimum of 20 times per term; something that Summer replacements Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde have struggled to convince they manager they are capable of.

Nevertheless, confidence is a wonderful thing, and yesterday's 3-1 win in the Antalya Cup showed glimpses of what both players are capable of producing.

But while a stop-gap route of a loan signing was a preferred route of problem solving in recent years, this did nothing to aid Celtic in the years that have followed. The oft-used cliché that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result appears to have been heeded, however - Hólmbert Friðjónsson has already arrived on a long-term deal, while others look set to follow.

Names such as Carlos Mane, Stefan Johansen, Steven Fletcher, Hiroki Yamada, Mahmoud Hassan and Oliver Norwood have already been linked with the Bhoys. While fans of all Clubs have learned to take rumours in transfer windows with a pinch of salt, the players linked largely fit a profile Celtic seem keen to continue to reap the benefits of; young, with great potential, and hungry for success.

Fletcher - one of many names mentioned.​

The January transfer window is notoriously hard to operate in. Clubs are desperate to hold on to their prized stars midway through the season, while prices can be elevated during the frantic 31 day period. Nevertheless, to simply refuse to operate in one of only two windows in a season is folly.

The example of Liverpool, who have previously used this window to procure Luis Suarez, Javier Mascherano and Daniel Sturridge, is proof enough that successes can be made during this period.

So the Bhoys forge ahead, to try and plug perceived gaps in the playing squad – this with a view to allowing acquisitions a lengthy period to settle in a new league, ahead of Champions League qualifiers in the Summer.

Also pivotal will be the signing of pre-contract agreements that the Club have used repeatedly in the past - examples of its success being Adam Matthews, Kelvin Wilson and Lukasz Zaluska. While players signed in this way would not be allowed the luxury of a lengthy settling in period, it shows that there are many fronts on which Celtic can do battle in the weeks to come.

While, historically, big-name loan signings were once seen as the preferred methodology, Celtic are now planning for success – both for the short-term and the longer-term. It is a transfer philosophy that has evolved over the years, and looks set to continue to harvest its rewards.

DM