James Penrice

No in fairness I'm not suggesting scales plays back up to Tierney for the season and considering Tierney's injury record probably could have chosen a less controversial position to make my point. That said, left back/ midfield appears our strongest in terms of any sort of youth progression currently(it's non existent at gk, cb, rb, wing or striker). Id have no issue giving Anderson/frame the pre season to make an impression with a view to them being 2nd choice for the year. My point about scales was if Tierney was injured play off week and Rodgers didn't trust frame or Anderson he could always use scales.

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Trusty has also played LB in his career as well, not extensively but TransferMarkt stats, which are quite good when it comes to where they have played has him doing it more then 20 times in his career.

 

Whoever’s going to be brought in alongside Tierney is realistically going to be less of a traditional second choice and more of a 1B. No harm to Penrice, as he isn’t a bad player, but I can’t say he’s ever stood out all that much whenever I’ve seen him play - which admittedly is mostly his games against us. This isn’t a McCowan situation where he’s a decent squad option who keeps things ticking over, with the added benefit of helping us with the squad quota, this is someone who’s likely to be called upon as a frequent starter for us. If we were signing a cheap-ish 3rd choice left back, and honestly with Tierney’s issues I wouldn’t be against it (and I say that as someone who thinks that people on this forum can sometimes go a bit overboard with how many squad options we need), he’d be fine; but for what’s essentially going to be our alternate LB we absolutely need someone who’s either: a)Currently better than Penrice or b)Has the potential to develop in to a better player than Penrice - neither of which, let’s face it, is a big ask.

While I think Anderson and/or Frame deserve a chance to audition during pre-season, given that we’ve seemingly been planning Tierney’s return for a while, both should’ve had meaningful loans by this point with the aim of preparing them for that role and honestly just to see if they have what it takes to make the grade here in the long run. Regardless, I think we’re at the point (and personally I think we’re past it) where we need start figuring out what the plan is for the two of them. Because as of right now, it looks like another case of us * around with no clear plan for either of them.

If we’re hesitant to spend money (which we shouldn’t be), or the guys we’re asking aren’t keen to come here when they’re not the clear first choice, then I’d rather do another Schlupp like loan for a year (ideally someone who’s slightly younger) and then see where Anderson & Frame are after a serious loan. It’s kicking the can down the road, and I’d hope we be able to go out and find a proper talent to deputise for Tierney, but I honestly still think it’s a better option than Penrice.

In saying all that, if we do end up signing him, hopefully he proves me wrong.

 

I liked the look of him season just past, was amazed that he was actually that old, would take him in a flash, would be able backup for KT.

 

We need to have much better than Penrice to step in for Tierney.

I'd rather give Frame et al a chance than sign Penrice.

 

Think we should be looking at someone younger with potential, he could do a job but we could do far better.

 

He’s alright, but quite honestly I’d rather have egg-fried…

 

"Celtic have since been in touch with James Penrice's people albeit no offer to Hearts has gone in. Besiktas have also contacted the player's camp, so there is definite competition.".

Hendry.

 

We will stick an offer in in the coming days