Kilmarnock v Celtic - Viaplay Cup - Second Round - The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers centre speaks to his backroom staff prior to kick-off in the Viaplay Cup second round match at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Picture date: Sunday August 20, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73393894
Once Kasper Schmeichel gets closer to Parkhead, one signature every fifty or so days will test a person’s patience like no other.
It has been fifty days since Rangers lost the Scottish Cup Final and Joe Hart said a tearful goodbye to the Celtic supporters during their festivities at Hampden.
Because this is Celtic, we might as well talk about tomorrow or the day after that. Kasper Schmeichel is anticipated to join Brendan Rodgers’ team on a free transfer from Anderlecht. The summer transfer season will close at this slow rate of player acquisition, meaning Celtic supporters will have to wait until January to welcome the next new player. You’ll need saintly patience to get one signature every fifty or so days.
The fact that Schmeichel will arrive before the steel cargo for Ibrox that the Rangers are anticipating should comfort supporters. However, in the meanwhile, Celtic may need to ask Rangers for the name of their construction contact in Asia if they choose to accept a huge offer for Matt O’Riley from Atalanta or anybody else before really purchasing someone for themselves. Because disappointed patrons at Celtic Park will have blown the roof off the stand.
I attempted to present Henrik Larsson’s arrival as a shining example of how good things truly do come to those who wait last week. This week, I couldn’t help but think of Eddie Howe’s prolonged abuse of Celtic before he declined the manager’s position. That led to the appearance of the obscure Ange Postecoglou, and we all know how that ended. However, I now have the unmistakable feeling that I’m preaching to unconverted people.
I was informed by a radio caller that the usual suspects were being brought up in light of the mounting discontent with Celtic’s lack of fresh faces. The listener suspected Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell of exerting undue influence on the team’s transfer negotiations. The accuser of Peter stated, “His hand is on the tiller.” This is supporter jargon for Lawwell putting his hand around Celtic’s throat and applying pressure that could suffocate him. Naturally, the chairman is among those who are charged with contributing to the 10-game losing streak, in part because of tainted hiring.
Due to his high popularity, Lawwell’s decision to sign Schmeichel for free will be denounced as inconsistent with his desire to avoid spending money even if Celtic has millions of dollars in the bank and their stock is at an all-time high. If Rodgers was forced to field a worse team for the upcoming season than the one that finished the previous campaign with a league and cup double, it would be an incredible situation. However, that would be the situation in reality if O’Riley goes on.
Schmeichel will not bolster the current team; rather, he will just balance it out, assuming nothing goes wrong. Paulo Bernardo will also become a permanent signing if he successfully completes his transfer from Benfica. The preference is on quality rather than quantity. Accepted. In these situations, patience is a virtue. Recognized. Try saying that to supporters, though, whose calendars indicate a 50-day gap between the end of the previous campaign and the possible arrival of a new goalkeeper to take the spot from the one who was, initially, the sole suitable option.
All of this is going on at the same time as Rangers manager Philippe Clement is telling his club’s fans that a couple of their low-key summer signings are nowhere near ready for first-team football. It’s all about the optics. Rangers have shed experienced players and gambled on those yet to prove they can handle playing here. Celtic have reorganised their academy structure and made Darren O’Dea their professional player pathway manager. Terrific guy, Darren – but there’s hard work in front of him to provide a road ahead that’s not obscured by a queue of players who aren’t doing very much at all, other than getting in the way of the up-and-coming.
Rocco Vata moved to Watford after declining a new deal. Daniel Kelly turned down a lucrative contract extension, thus he was left off of the team that will travel to America on Tuesday. It is obvious that young people need incentives. The focus for Celtic’s team must be on cutting down on the amount of players while also covering some glaring holes in terms of what the manager will require moving forward. After 50 days, only Sead Haksabanovic has moved on. Not exactly living life to the fullest in the hiring department, is it?
