Celtic face urgent rebuild as exodus outpaces arrivals
Celtic have shipped out a dozen players so far this summer without bringing any in. Charlie Mulgrew reckons the Hoops will need at least six ready-made first-team stars through the door for the new campaign. The champions report back to Lennoxtown tomorrow - minus the World Cup contingent - for the first day of pre-season as Martin O'Neill runs the rule over his depleted squad.
Supremo Dermot Desmond publicly declared his intention to back O'Neill with a transfer war chest after the Double-winning legend agreed to stay on as manager for another year. But while title rivals Rangers and Hearts are motoring ahead with signings, Celts have yet to open the cheque book - or even finalise O'Neill's coaching staff.
Fan frustration grows over lack of movement
The lack of movement or conviction from the under-fire board is doing nothing to build bridges with an already brassed-off fanbase, who spent most of last season calling for their heads. Mulgrew has warned the hierarchy that they better get the ball rolling fast with a huge rebuild on the cards.
The former Parkhead hero reckons a proven goalscorer will be top of O'Neill's wishlist as the veteran gaffer looks to add more firepower to his attack. And the five-time Premiership winner believes tying down out-of-contract cult hero Kelechi Iheanacho on a new deal should be a no-brainer.
Mulgrew: 'Five or six players needed'
He said: "I mean there's no doubt about it, for a few seasons now there's been a striker needed. Daizen Maeda stepped up at the end of the season, but we need a striker. Celtic need to bring a striker in, two, maybe three. Because in the actual squad, I don't know if Kelechi Iheanacho has triggered his contract or his extension yet. That'll be something I would be looking to keep and then bring another couple."
"I think that's what Martin’s main thing would be. Obviously some wingers, I mean you could go through it, there's a lot of positions needed. The left-back is away. You need somebody to replace that. The good thing is Cameron Carter-Vickers is back, he'll be back for next season. Hopefully we can keep Alistair Johnston because he's a huge player. But I don't think there's any position, maybe right back, we don't really need a player. I think we can strengthen in all positions, the goalkeeper area as well. There's at least five or six players that need to come in to really impact the squad."
Evan Ferguson touted as potential signing
Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has long been linked with a switch to Celtic and Mulgrew is sure the out-of-favour Brighton ace would bring his weight in goals. Ferguson showed his qualities last season by netting a deadly brace at Parkhead during his stint on loan at Roma as the Italians romped to a 3-0 Europa League win.
Mulgrew said: "I’d love to see Evan Ferguson at Celtic. I don't know whether he would want to come or not but he's somebody that if he was available and wanted to come up here, I think he's a player that I'd definitely take at Celtic. We saw him scoring at Celtic Park for Roma last season. He's got ability, he's a finisher, he's proved that. He's somebody who would know what the club's all about. I would definitely take him. I don't know a lot about his current fitness to be honest with you, but that's something that we could take into consideration. But I think that he's somebody that would definitely add to the Celtic squad."
Key players could depart amid interest
Celtic are also braced for big-money interest in their biggest assets. Daizen Maeda will be allowed to move on as he enters the final year of his contract, while Nottingham Forest are set to come back to the table for Arne Engels after seeing a £25million January swoop kicked out. Sweden playmaker Benjamin Nygren is also on the radar of clubs across Europe after firing 21 goals in his debut season.
Mulgrew said: "Who do I expect to leave Celtic? I think that Daizen Maeda will be one that will be away. I'd imagine, I think Arne Engels, having had a big offer from Forest in January and he stayed. I think that he may have been told that if he waits until summer he can then go. So that's two huge players that were pivotal in the run-in. Then Benjamin Nygren obviously scored a lot of goals so he'll be attracting attention. I would imagine Nygren will stay for another year. But I don't know. Players that haven't played a part in it this year need to move on, squad players. There's a lot that needs done itself. They need to really get moving with all that stuff, but as we know, it doesn't happen overnight."
Coaching staff uncertainty adds to woes
O'Neill could return to Lennoxtown on Friday without his two trusted lieutenants, with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham yet to agree new contracts. The popular pair played an instrumental role in helping Celtic win a league and Scottish Cup Double last season but knocked back initial wage cuts. Mulgrew insists it's vital a compromise is struck, especially after long-serving first-team coach Gavin Strachan quit for West Brom.
He added: "Martin O’Neill needs young coaches to help him bring some energy and bring different types of sessions regarding the modern game, information, and styles of play. I think he had that last year with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, McManus involved in that. I think these people who know him well will help, whether he needs another coach to add to that is something that maybe could happen. I think Martin O’Neill could be a mentor to a younger coach, he’s got so much experience and that’s why he’s still in the role."
*Charlie Mulgrew was speaking on behalf of BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup betting.
