SENTINELCELTS

Gazing into my crystal ball and looking ahead, the middle of the park still causes me the most angst.
We are still unsettled there, still tinkering, with the campaign’s finish line in sight.

The current crop will deliver the title by my reckoning, but it also means we approach next season in search of our preferred midfield trio, whilst (by my reckoning) having to forgo the most unforgiving group stages in world football.

One concern is the available funds with a central defender, left back, right winger, and another striker all necessary. Some could rightfully point out the need for another left winger unless we sign boy wonder, perhaps the need for an extra central defender as Julien can’t be relied upon, and maybe an upgrade on Scott Bain for our number two keeper.

Considering there’s a decent number of midfielders already at the club, and many other problem areas, my instincts tell me there won’t be much churn in that particular department. In the main we shall roll with what we’ve got, once again.

James McCarthy isn’t fancied yet he’s signed long term, another three years. He wanted to come home, came to the biggest who could afford decent wages, and shall be very hard to shift.
A free transfer won’t appeal much, doesn’t want to go back down south as evidenced by his desire to come home, his history and demands dictate that no other club can afford him.
Peter didn’t do payoffs, it remains to be seen whether Michael feels the same way, but Peter’s reasoning that it sets a precedent in the dressing room holds true.
I envisage him staying, unfancied or not.
There’s one unknown quantity.

Ideoguchi is another. It would be crazy to introduce him at this key stage of the season, logic dictates his first team career proper begins next season in earnest.
It’s good he should be well settled into the club and new life, but some minutes in the legs would have been nice.
Could we have pulled a Meatloaf with our January Japan raid, two outta three ain’t bad?
He’s unknown quantity number two.

Nir isn’t an unknown quantity, but yet not a first choice midfield player either. One big problem is dropping him into an important game as our main defensive midfielder, without putting prior minutes into his legs. Coming in cold more often than not doesn’t suit him as a player nor the team, switching shape and personnel in the middle for a one off is not ideal, your regular shape and performers should carry enough to win the game without emergency tinkering.
Nir is not integral to this team, can improve the team sometimes, but is not a great defensive midfielder overall and therefore shouldn’t become an integral part of the team.
Backup only until he goes, that’s three players who have not proven themselves Celtic class and/or worthy of a place in Anges team yet they shall bulk out our numbers.

Of those who regularly receive the nod, three were given an extended run together and then broken up at the first opportunity to introduce fresh talent.
Calmac, DT, Rogic had their big shot.
DT got injured, and Tam isn’t an every game player in my book, I would use him sparingly. The fact he just got marked and kicked out of a big game almost shows he’s a horse’s for courses type player, to me anyway.
That particular trio also didn’t get the best of Calmac by forcing him to become the deep lying player.
So we can’t, or rather shouldn’t, make Tam a nailed on starter.
That’s four we can’t call must starts in the middle.

Which leaves four.
Calmac,
Hatate,
O’Reilly,
DT.
Calmac starts which leaves three for the two accompanying spots in the middle.

The obvious problem is none of the three are classic defensive midfielders, so Calmac gets pushed back, again. Not his forte, clearly enough to deliver silverware domestically yet not solid enough for stern tests, and there are very stern tests to come.

This is Anges dilemma, and its his biggest in my book. Cashing in on any of the unfancied looks unlikely, nor very profitable. The summer should see Ajeti and Soro finally departing, yet with eight already present, is a ninth midfielder a pipe dream? And what about a tenth for some real strength in depth?

Something’s gotta give, but sitting here I just don’t know what exactly.
Ange either hasn’t got a defensive midfielder in his gameplan, or one deemed of sufficient quality. I wouldn’t put it past him to sign one, singular, and give that chap a starting berth, but that comes with pitfalls.
If Player X becomes a team lynchpin, we run the risk of becoming a lesser team in his absence, injury or not, needing two interchangeable players to stick to our system.
Player X would also be brand new, and straight into the Champions League, gulp.
Plus the whistlers just itch to book our ‘snarlers’.
Then again, I wouldn’t put it past him to keep playing the usual 4 backed up by the other 4.

Who knows what’s in the man’s head, but I’m not complaining. Is our midfield strong enough for the Champions League is troubling more than Celtic supporters out there.
It’s also very worth pointing out, some would love to have that ‘problem’.
Ange’s biggest problem.

By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com