SENTINELCELTS

When is the best time to judge a window? Arsene Wenger would have you wait two years, most fans allow a couple games.
Perhaps it’s not ideal, but Ive always felt by the time the next window comes around, you should (in theory) have made a judgement as to the previous windows buys.

Summer of ’21 delivered a dozen new Celtic players alongside a new head coach or manager.
It’s been six months roughly so let’s look at my chosen quartet.

I’ll start off positive and honestly claim my number one selectee is perhaps the buy of the season. Time will tell, but if this title is delivered a lot of the praise should go Joe Harts direction.

I’ll admit to rolling my eyes when he was first linked, after all how many EPL has beens have we seen flop?
Slowly but surely the big lad won me over.

For starters this is the opposite of ‘Lurch’.
He’s at the tail end of a great career, but stumbled upon something special and it has affected him.
Instead of a relegation scrap he’s offered hero status, of course he’s happy.

He’s reinvigorated, and to be honest priceless at the moment. I honestly didn’t think the PLC would give the nod to another keeper having three on the books including a 5 million International, but Dom pulled out all the stops for his man while in the building, cheers pal and good bhoy.

At seasons end, there’s a good chance he’ll get many votes for the POTY, despite others getting more time on the ball to shine. We have the meanest defense in the league (a great sign btw) and he’s hugely responsible for that,,CCV deserves mega credit also.

The Englishman has found a new home, has found his love of the game, and can look forward to the next few years.
Europe, silverware, adoration and the prospect of leaving the sport you gave your life to on a real positive high.
He’s the short term future, possibly medium term, and a great asset all-around.
He can choose his own future, but given what we are witnessing I fully expect him to be between the sticks for the next few seasons.
I would put money on it.
Joe Hart I’m giving 8 outta 10.

The next player hasn’t had a great start to his Sellic career. It’s easy to see how Dom/Ange bit though.
Swedish Internationals have done very well for the club before yet one happens to be touted to us in his prime years, affordable, tall enough, and willing to come.
Yep, I can totally see why we decided to take a chance.
And now I can totally see why Ruben Kazan said hasta la Vista baby, and no bigger clubs nibbled at that bargain price.

Carl Starfelt has more flaws in his game than things going for him. Now that’s not to say he won’t make a decent defender, but if one is going to appear they’re leaving it a little late.

I see a lot of average across the board,
Average tackler,
Average at set piece defending,
Average reader of the game,
Average on the ball which might be generous,
But yet there was something to build upon I reckon.

He doesn’t mind a tackle or a bit of rough, has an athlete’s body, and a good mentality to boot.
Never heard him complain, seems okay with being benched, looks a team player and perhaps like Joe feels very fortunate to be here.

However,,,,,,
I recall Martin looked at Vidar Riseth in training and said not good enough, out.
I suspect the same would happen except, that we need the position covered rather than the actual player himself.

Carl might be above young Stephen Welsh in Ange’s plan, might. I know Rebus rates Welsh higher and tbh it’s hard to argue at this stage.

He has six months now, the run in, to prove himself. Ange ain’t hanging about, we know that by now and he didn’t cost that much, we can take a hit if need be.

I want him to succeed, but that seems grasping at straws, wearing the green tinted specs.
If he found a new club I wouldn’t cry, but when he’s on that park he gets my full backing.
Carl Starfelt I shall rate 6 outta ten.

My third player to be reviewed is a tough one I admit.
I mean who doesn’t want a red haired pure blood Celt in the team?
Throw in a debut goal and we’ve got a potential talisman here.

Liam Scales took time for whatever reason, but he’s in and around the first team squad now and so far I can say I’m happy at that fact.

Ok, putting hair colour and Nationality to the side, our gaffer did actually play the fellow when he didn’t need to, Bolingoli and Shaw being available left back alternatives.
This tells me a few things.
Liam is trying hard in training.
Ange has deemed his ability suitable for our club, or he wouldn’t get the nod.
But he shows early character.
The lad bombed forward and scored on his debut, a most Celtic-like trait. A desirable trait.

Given the price, the attitude, the potential, I fully understand why the club recruited him. It’s then up to the man himself to get selected. He did that.
The left back berth is by no means settled, we have Juranovich, Taylor, Shaw, Bolingoli, and Scales in the mix.
Yet he got there, he got picked to play. Making himself an automatic pick should be the next objective.
I’ll give young Master Scales a six outta ten also.

My final player to judge makes me laugh, kinda.
I call him the Uruk-Hai from Tolkien’s famous book, but yet young Osaze Uroghigde must be judged for the Sentinel Celts, those right here and those looking back in the future.

Hand on heart, I’ve never seen him play.
This huge African named kid just appeared and was signed, but Celtic class?
Certainly doesn’t look that way, I wouldn’t be surprised if he left in this window.

Okay, there’s the huge frame and some natural athleticism, hopefully some good attitude also, but Ange Postecoglous Glasgow Celtic can’t afford passengers and won’t accept second class.
You cut the mustard or you don’t, and right now he doesn’t cut the mustard.

Mr ‘take a chance on me’ shall soon be gone I expect with a little bit of nothing ventured nothing gained involved.

Sorry son but that’s football.
Now all the best for the future and away find someone who will actually select you.

Osaze Uroghigde I give three outta ten. One point for wearing the shirt, one point for not being absolutely ridiculous or being red carded whilst playing, and another for never bitching to rags in order to ‘end my Celtic hell’.

By Mahe.
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