Martin O’Neill has been backed to roll back the years and play two strikers after Celtic’s double signing of Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran. Former Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley is convinced the new frontmen can be accommodated in the same team.
Hartley, who played alongside Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald during his own Parkhead career, believes there is no reason the Danish striker and the former Qarabag forward cannot form a partnership. He points to O’Neill’s first spell in charge, when a back three allowed two from Larsson, Sutton and Hartson to play together.
“I don’t see why they can’t play together. When you look at Martin’s first spell in charge, he played with two strikers. It was two out of three with Larsson, Sutton and Hartson. That was playing with a back three, of course.”
“Back when I played it was Jan and Scott. There’s no harm in getting two strikers up the pitch, I quite like it. You have 3-5-2 but there’s nothing wrong with 4-4-2 either. Martin is a clever cookie, he knows the game.”
Hartley said the signings addressed a clear priority, especially after the departure of Maeda. “Celtic were short of strikers. They’ve made a big outlay but it was a big priority, especially with Maeda leaving.”
Hogh a steal at £11m
Hogh arrives after two impressive seasons with Bodo/Glimt, having scored five Champions League goals last term, including strikes against Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and a double against Manchester City.
“Hogh could be a steal at £11m. I’m surprised more teams were not in for him. He’s got an incredible record with goals against Atletico Madrid, Man City and so on. It’s surprising no one has taken a bite. It’s a big outlay for a Scottish club but I believe Celtic have a bargain. If he scores 25 goals and does well in Europe then it’s worth the price. There must be an excitement among Celtic fans that they mean business. I still think they are short and players might leave, but these two look like they can score goals.”
“Fans just want to see their teams winning. A lot of teams play with a no.10 or a false 9, but it has been coming back, with teams playing with two attackers.”
“They are probably still short of another striker as if you are going for Europe you need four. Celtic have always been a team that scored goals but last season they lacked that punch they needed. They brought a few in during January but not many of them played. Martin has identified they needed quality at the top end of the pitch and that’s what he’s got with these two.”
“It doesn’t matter what level you are at, if you have a couple of strikers you think can win you games, it really sets you up for the season.”
Board spending and lessons learned
The combined £17m outlay on Hogh and Duran has eased criticism of the Celtic board after a slow summer, according to Hartley. “You can’t ask for much more than spending £17m on two players. The board have come under heavy criticism the last while for not spending money. But you have to hand it to them.”
He compared the situation to Brendan Rodgers’ time at the club, saying there had been an obvious issue between the manager and the board. “You saw it with Brendan Rodgers. There was obviously an issue between the board and the manager. He wanted certain players in and in quicker. You want to compete on all fronts. Celtic have struggled to compete in Europe. I think Martin would have said to them, he needed reinforcements, especially for Europe. There was a big £40m they missed out on last year in the Champions League. I think they’ve learned lessons. They took gambles on certain players in January that didn’t pay off. They’ve been more clever this time.”
Celtic still need to fill gaps
Despite the striker arrivals, Hartley expects midfield departures and highlighted several positions in need of reinforcement. Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo are expected to go, while Everton are pushing to sign Alistair Johnston. The Champions League play-off is less than three weeks away.
“If Engels goes the middle of the park becomes important. Callum McGregor’s had the burden for the last few years, having to do everything himself. Reo Hatate will go, you’d think. Ideally you’d keep Engels until after the qualifier but you don’t want unhappy players at the club.”
“If they go, Celtic will be two short in there. They need a challenge at goalkeeper, a centre half to support Cameron Carter-Vickers. If Johnston goes they need a right back, as well as cover for Kieran Tierney. Then there’s wide players where they are short – maybe it’s eight they still need! It’s not easy. You look across the city and Rangers have brought in players quite quickly and others have acted fast.”
“Celtic fans want players in yesterday. It doesn’t always materialise like that. As a manager, you need the players in before the big games. The Champions League is not far off so it’s a gamble worth taking getting them in now. There’s £40m at stake.”
Hartley was speaking at the launch of William Hill’s Final One Standing - Scottish football’s ultimate free-to-play predictor game.
