The Importance of Being Idle

Article by e-Celtic Correspondent Tom Shanahan

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The Celtic squad have reported back for pre season training and have finally met the new management team in charge. By now opinions will have been formed within the squad however, based on comments previously attributed to Stefan Johansen the Norwegian’s team mates should be extremely satisfied with the managerial appointment. The squad should also take comfort from the fact that Ronny Deila and John Collins seem happy enough to start the Champions League qualifiers with no significant signings.

Celtic begin their European campaign against KR Reykjavik in the middle of July. KR are unquestionably the largest club in Iceland however, with a national population of only 325,000 people it is not unkind to describe the Icelandic reigning champions as European minnows. KR have suffered some heavy defeats in European competitions in the past, including a 9-1 aggregate defeat to HJK Helsinki two years ago. Celtic supporters won’t need reminding that it was Celtic who defeated HJK 4-1 in the next round over two legs. A lot has changed for Celtic in the previous two years with key players and Neil Lennon departing; however both results indicate the true gulf in class between Celtic and their Icelandic opponents.

Celtic supporters understandably would like to see the club being active in the transfer market before the European campaign proceeds. The management team, especially Collins who has watched Celtic at close quarters as a TV pundit, may already have an idea of where they would like to strengthen.

However, it is important that the players already in the squad are given a chance to impress. There may be fringe players that Deila is not too familiar with, who may fit perfectly into the manager’s ideal system. Nir Biton, for example, is a player who was starting to make his mark under Neil Lennon before injury brought his season to an abrupt end. Biton possesses qualities vital to a modern day midfielder. Although still young he is technically very astute, is full of confidence and likes to control the game from the middle of the pitch, which is exactly what Deila wants his team to do. Another player who should be looking to make an impact under the new manager is Tony Watt. After an eventful loan spell in Belgium, Watt must learn from his previous mistakes and show that he is worthy of consideration to challenge for a striker’s role. He has undoubted talent and with the right frame of mind could be valuable to Celtic in the upcoming years.

There are also the younger players who made an impact last season to consider. Liam Henderson and Darnell Fisher performed exceptionally well when called up to the first team. Both young men demonstrated with the right supervision alongside them they are capable of playing a valuable role in defence and midfield respectively. Throw in to the mix a fully fit Filip Twardzik and Marcus Fraser and the average age of the Celtic Team could decrease significantly this coming season.

The fact that KR will be half way through their domestic season by the time the two teams meet should only hinder Celtic slightly. Celtic players no longer have the luxury of long summer breaks and so should be in decent physical condition for the start of pre season. Emilio Izaguirre and Fraser Forster will join their team mates in a couple of weeks, with their countries already eliminated from the World Cup and Celtic will be hoping Efe Ambrose is not too far behind them. With these three players returning, the Celtic squad will include all the big players who know what it takes to reach the promised land of the Champions League group stages.

It should not be forgotten either that playing an attractive brand of football is already part of the club’s DNA. Celtic last season scored over 100 goals in all competitions so having the fire power to see off KR should not be a worry. Under Deila there may be more emphasis on retaining possession however, he already has players at his disposal that know attack is the best form of defence.

New signings are inevitable in the next few months although the management team are wise enough to realise patience at this time will prove to be a virtue.

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