Chris Sutton has drawn parallels between his own arrival at Celtic 26 years ago and the club's recent signing of Camilo Duran, warning that the Colombian must be just the first of many new faces this summer.
Duran, a £6million striker from Qarabag, was unveiled yesterday, exactly 26 years to the day since Sutton joined Celtic as Martin O'Neill's first signing. Sutton, now a pundit, said he had seen Duran up close when the forward scored against Newcastle in the Champions League last season.
“He's quick, makes clever runs and he's already shown he's got an eye for goal on the European stage,” Sutton wrote in his Daily Record column. “It's a big positive that Celtic are finally getting someone through the door.”
First of many needed
Sutton stressed that Duran cannot be the only arrival. “Last year's mistakes are still fresh in everyone's minds and fans won't accept the club sleepwalking into another Champions League qualifier undercooked,” he said, referencing the shock defeat to Kairat Almaty. “Hopefully, by the time that £40m play-off comes around, Duran will have settled alongside some other new faces.”
The former striker noted that football has changed since his own £6m move from Chelsea in 2000. “The days of Celtic signing established Premier League players like Martin did with me, Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon are long gone. You don't get the finished article for £6m these days. You're buying someone you hope develops into a £20m player.”
Maeda's future and attacking options
Sutton highlighted the uncertainty around Daizen Maeda, whom O'Neill described as “Larsson-esque” last season. “If Maeda stays, suddenly Celtic are pretty well catered for in that area,” Sutton said, but warned that his departure would leave “one hell of a void.”
He also discussed Kelechi Iheanacho, who O'Neill wants to re-sign, but noted fitness issues. “Without his match-winning cameos from the bench, Celtic wouldn't have won the league. Fitness was always his biggest issue.”
Youngster Callum Osmand, who scored on the final day against Hearts, has potential but needs patience. “He clearly has potential but nobody should expect him to suddenly carry Celtic's attack,” Sutton added.
Board must back O'Neill
Sutton urged the board to learn from last summer's mistakes. “Time is ticking. Flag Day is only three weeks away and that massive Champions League play-off is just 38 days from now. Supporters don't want another summer where the manager is left scrambling for players.”
He noted that Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and Brian Wilson were in the stands for Tuesday's friendly in Dublin. “I'd be stunned if, when he signed his new contract, Martin didn't make it crystal clear what he felt this squad needed.”
Sutton concluded: “Duran looks like a good player on paper and it's encouraging to finally see Celtic open the chequebook. But just like I was, the Colombian is only the first piece of the jigsaw and there's still so much work to be done.”
