Now that the season is at the half way stage let’s take a look in detail at the performances of the players since the campaign started in July.
FRAZER FORSTER – A surprise but welcome loan signing before the end of the August transfer window. A top performer who was instrumental in the Europa League qualification and the only regret is that he wasn’t here in time for the Champions League qualifiers. Had the game of his life in the League Cup final and the hope is that he will stay when the loan deal expires. There is a real chance of securing him as he is at an age where he needs first team football and Southampton will hopefully see him as an excess requirement given that he is their third choice ‘keeper. 9/10
CRAIG GORDON – Talking of being at an age where you have to play, Craig will have to move on soon. He has been an excellent goalkeeper for Celtic since arriving in 2014 and the short time that he has left in his career should be at a team where he will be number one pick. If he does go he will go with the good wishes of the fans for his consistency and reliability.N/A
SCOTT BAIN – Started the season as number one choice in goals but a couple of high profile errors tempted Neil Lennon to go after Forster. Scott is a capable deputy who is capable of coming on at short notice if required. 5/10
HATEM ABD ELHAMED – Speaking of injury prone defenders, that brings us on to Elhammed. Looked a great signing at the start, had terrific games at Ibrox and in Rome in the Europe League. Loads of pace and aggressive with it, he was one of Lennon’s main hopes for the future. Sadly, as with a lot of guys who have pace, he seems prone to pulls and tears. Is now on the third injury since arriving in July. The hope is that he can put these setbacks behind him. Only time will tell. 7/10
MORITZ BAUER – Another loanee but one who has not been impressive. Seems okay but nothing spectacular. Very similar story to Jeremy Toljan last season in being brought in, in case of emergencies. As one wag said near me, ‘The most impressive thing about him is his hair.’ Oh, and he has a brilliant throw in. 5/10
JEREMIE FRIMPONG – One of the reasons for Bauer’s lack of appearances is the emergence of young Frimpong. A boy who plays with great enthusiasm and with a smile on his face, he has been a breath of fresh air and has been the revelation of the season. Blessed with tremendous pace, seeing him in full flight is such an exciting sight. Can already regard himself as a first team regular and the hope is he will improve even further. Look to see the shape of the team altered tactically to make the best use of his talents. 8/10
BOLI BOLINGOLI – Had a difficult start at left back. Anyone replacing Kieran Tierney was going to find it hard but the facts are that he has too many faults in his game. Clumsy tackling, poor control and a poor end product when crossing, are not a great mixture. Looked like he had turned a corner at Ibrox but quickly lapsed into old habits. Don’t be surprised to see Greg Taylor get a good run at left back after the winter break. 6/10
GREG TAYLOR – A late signing just before the window who has seen his appearances curtailed. When he has played he has looked tidy and keeps things simple. Is now an international player which should boost his confidence and we may see a great deal more of him in the near future as he stakes his place to be first choice left back. 6/10
KRISTOFFER AJER – One of the most consistent performers in the side but one who has also had his critics amongst the supporters. Still learning his trade, he has however developed a magnificent partnership with Christopher Julienn. Great with carrying the ball from defence and starting attacks he is a player who will improve with experience. There is still a feeling that he could be employed on certain occasions in front of the back four to protect the defence. Potential captain material should he be with us for a long period, which given the supposed interest from down south, means that will be unlikely. Still a work in progress. 8/10
CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN – Was the big signing of the summer at a cost of £7m. First couple of games he looked a bit rusty and there was a bit of concern but the Ibrox win in September settled him and he is now looking the part. So much so that it seems inevitable that we should expect English interest in him by the summer. Arguably Celtic’s best performer so far, he is another potential captain should anything happen to Scott Brown. A good example to the board that if you will pay out on bigger fees you are likely to bring in genuine quality and avoid some of the low cost mediocrity where money has been wasted. 9/10
JACK HENDRY – See above for low cost mediocrity. Another one who will no doubt see out his contract because there is no one out there who will take him on by paying a fee. Expect to see him out on loan by end of January. N/A
JOZO SIMUNOVIC – Yet another injury plagued season for the bold Jozo. Most of us have now given up on him. With hindsight it looks like an error not selling him in summer of 2017 when EPL interest was said to be high at £10m. Good player when fit but increasingly injury prone. N/A
SCOTT BROWN – Still the leader and driving force behind the team and even approaching his 35th birthday can still turns in energetic performances. The only worry is that there appears to be no succession planning. He can’t last forever and will leave a huge void to be filled when that day comes. The hope is that he can drive us towards nine in a row at the very least and worry more about it then. 8/10
NIR BITTON – Very much the forgotten man of Parkhead who is now returning from a long spell out through injury. A versatile player, he is always handy to have around. Look for him playing alongside Brown in midfield more, to allow McGregor to move up to the ‘10’ role in Christie’s absence. 6/10
CALLUM MCGREGOR – Another one who turns in a remarkably high standard of consistent performances. It may be better to see him in a more advanced attacking role where he can use his talents to the full. There is a concern over burning himself put as stats show he played the most games in senior European football last season and Lennon should be wary of that. 8/10
RYAN CHRISTIE – Has continued his good form from last season and became first choice in the ‘10’ role behind the striker. Has also cemented his place in the Scotland line up and remains one of Celtic’s main attacking options. Doesn’t carry a great deal of luck and has saw himself injured through being too brave on the field of play. Will be a huge influence on whether Celtic can retain the title. 8/10
TOM ROGIC – Where do you start with big Tam? Technically gifted and a fans’ favourite but still living off the glory of his 2017 cup final goal. Has contributed nothing these past two seasons and increasingly looks like a luxury that Celtic can no longer afford. He has to make a significant contribution before the season’s end or there may be a parting of the ways. 4/10
OLIVIER NTCHAM – The great enigma of Celtic Park. On his game there is no finer midfielder in the country. However, too often he is a passenger who looks disinterested and unmotivated. A fit, on-form Ntcham would be such a bonus in the second half of the season. Lennon has tried to show horn him into the team recently with not much success, so it remains to be seen how often he will actually play. 6/10
EBOUE KOUASSI – Was perceived as a long term successor to Brown but that has not materialised. Yet another who has been cursed by injury and it appears that he will be released when his contract expires this summer. N/A
JAMES FORREST – The last couple of seasons has seen James at his peak and he has made a tremendous contribution to Celtic’s success. Yet the feeling remains that we could get more out of him. His last two performances against Rangers in December where hugely disappointing. He is another who Lennon may have to use sparingly with fear of burn out, given the high number of games he has played these last three seasons. 7/10
JONNY HAYES – A firm favourite of the manager’s, Jonny has been employed in a number of positions on the left side this season. Showed great courage by playing on when injured in the League Cup final. To make the best use of Jonny’s talents on the left wing, Neil may need to be bold and change the formation from the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-1-2 with two orthodox wide men. However, the chance of this happening is unlikely. 6/10
LEWIS MORGAN – Another player who Lennon gave plenty of opportunity without seeing anything special in return. Looks likely to move on to Miami during the window and will go with the good wishes of all at the club. 5/10
MIKEY JOHNSTON – Has the potential to be a top class footballer and has given us a tempting taste of what he can do this season particularly in the early stages. Has been unlucky with injuries and the hope is he can settle down in the new term and perform consistently at the level we know he is capable of. 6/10
MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI – Another welcome loanee from Southampton last summer. Scored some vital goals along the way and has become popular with the supporters. Another who has had injury issues (a pattern is emerging when you look at this squad) and it would appear unlikely that the board will throw a reputed £9m fee at him. If Celtic are to prevail in the league race then we need him fit and on form. 7/10
MARIAN SHVED – At the beginning of the season a Celtic ‘insider’ told me that the fans would soon forget Paddy Roberts when they saw Shved in action. For whatever reason this guy cannot get near the team. Rumours abound that a lazy attitude in training has not impressed the manager who is keener on players like Hayes and Forrest who put a shift in. Would be interesting at least to see this boy get a run of games to see what he can actually do. N/A
DANIEL ARZANI – Has not been seen since recovering from last season’s horrendous injury. Will return to his parent club, Manchester City, in the summer. N/A
ODSONNE EDOUARD – The main man and Celtic’s prized asset. Has often carried the team and his quality is there for all to see. To be blunt, Eddy should be playing at a higher level than in Scottish football. One wee criticism – he often tries to be too fancy by beating an extra man when he should be laying a simple ball off to a team mate. Best enjoy him in the second half of the season as there is no way he will be here in August. 8/10
LEIGH GRIFFITHS – Not so much injury problems but mental health issues. Leigh has had a lot of support and assistance and it’s payback time. A 100% Leigh Griffiths going into the next stage of the season would be tremendous boost but there remain doubts of him getting back to that level. Whatever happens between now and the end on May will have a huge bearing on Leigh’s future as we cannot wait forever. 5/10
VAKOUN BAYO – Sometimes you see a player arrive and it makes you wonder what the scouts seen in them to bring him to the club. Such is the case with Bayo. He is one of a number of bargain basement signings who arrive at the club, projects as some people like to call them. This is indicative of the Celtic board’s mentality. Rather than pool the money together to buy a couple of quality players they scramble away at a lower level with the result, more often than not, ending in mediocrity that we cannot then move on. Another who will probably be off on loan by end of January. N/A
In short there are seven members of this squad who have contributed nothing and should move on. That will leave plenty of room for new quality additions, not to the squad, but to the first eleven. This is where Peter Lawwell has to earn his money. There will be no excuses and no forgiving of everything is not sorted and put right before the end of January.
We await with keen interest.
