All 17 of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic signings rated ahead of rebuild ‘phase three’

Back in December we took a detailed look at how all of the summer signings had fared in Glasgow so far.

Those 12 players have now had a full campaign in the spotlight while five more new faces joined them in January.

Now that a respectable amount of time has elapsed since the green and white ribbons were officially attached to the SPFL Premiership trophy, it’s time to take stock once more.

Like the last time, we feel there’s something just not quite right about calling guys actively recruited to play for Celtic a failure so, in the mould of one of our time’s greatest philosophers, our verdicts here will be either success or… success-adjacent.

We’ve also included some key stats and extra reading material on each player from throughout the season – enjoy!

Kyogo Furuhashi

Appearances: 33; Goals (xG): 20 (14.9); Assists (xA): 2 (3.3)

An easy one to start with. The only thing that could really stop Kyogo this season was himself – injuries robbed him of game-time for two lengthy stretches.

His crowning moment – well one of his crowning moments – came upon his return from one such injury with his League Cup-winning double key to Postecoglou gaining some early tangible success at Celtic.

Eventually reaching 22 goal contributions (20 goals, two assists) for the campaign, it was even more impressive given he played the minutes equivalent of just less than 25 matches. He also outperformed his xG by more than five goals.

All of that is easy to sum up in one word here by the way: success.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: How Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi became Scottish football's leading man in less than six months

Carl Starfelt

Appearances: 49; Minutes: 4,642; Clean sheets: 23; Interceptions per 90: 4.5

Starfelt certainly divided opinion at times this season. The £4million defender endured some over-the-top criticism earlier in the campaign but knuckled down and proved most of his doubters wrong.

Dovetailing well with Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defence, the 26-year-old kept both Stephen Welsh and Christopher Jullien out the team and consistently improved his performance levels to do so.

While playing left centre-back in a Postecoglou team as a right-footer adds another layer of context to his displays, there still feels scope for improvement from the Sweden international as the acid test of the biggest club stage of all beckons.

The Swede was declared success-adjacent back in December… he has turned that verdict around ably in the six months since.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Carl Starfelt’s improvement is indisputable… but is it enough?

Liel Abada

Appearances: 54; Minutes: 3,483; Goals (xG): 15 (15.1); Assists (xA): 9 (10.1)

The Israeli winger has been a total revelation since his rather unheralded arrival at the club in the summer for a fee of £3.6m from Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Abada was just 19 at the time, and despite a reasonably hefty price tag for a teenager, he has more than repaid Ange Postecoglou's faith and Celtic's investment in him already.

A 15-goal return for is outstanding for a wide man in any season much less a debut one in a new country. There has been no shortage of vital strikes too – leaving Borna Barisic for dead in the 3-0 derby win, his last-minute winner against Dundee United the game before – as Celtic regained the title at the first time of asking.

While his underlying data and raw output has been juxtaposed with natural quiet periods, the Israeli has been an unqualified success and deservedly walked off the the PFA Scotland young player of the year award last month too.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: On-ball value & the new light shed on Liel Abada’s season

Josip Juranovic

Appearances: 35; Minutes: 2,983; Goals (xG): 5 (5.19); Assists (xA): 2 (4.5)

Like Starfelt, Juranovic was marked as success-adjacent back in December due to his being played out of position at left-back and the unavoidable feeling that he was yet to showcase his best.

That changed over the second half of the campaign – with his performance in the 3-0 dismantling of Rangers in February particularly impressive – while his growing influence on the team became more apparent too.

There remains a feeling Juranovic possesses another gear to his game but he has done more than enough to bump his assessment up a notch since the last update.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Is Celtic's number one right-back really who you think it is?

Giorgos Giakoumakis

Appearances: 29; Minutes: 1,571; Goals (xG): 17 (14.7); Mins per goal: 92.4

Another – in fact arguably the best – reflection of the tear Celtic went on domestically between the first assessment and now.

Giakoumakis was, at that point, ‘most effective role has been that of a late-game foul-winner in Europe’. His rise since has been remarkable.

He turned a one-goal-in-nine start to life at Celtic into 17-in-29 by season’s end and even finished as the Premiership’s top scorer. If you needed any more reasons for his signing to now be considered a success – he literally scored the goal that won the league too.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: How Celtic's 'warrior striker' is redefining what a Hoops frontman looks like

Joe Hart

Appearances: 54; Clean sheets: 26; Goals saved above average: -0.01

It is fair to say when Celtic signed Hart in the summer from Tottenham Hotspur, a lot of eyebrows were raised.

It was clear that the club needed to bring in a new goalkeeper after Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard had failed to cement the number one spot as their own. But the former Manchester City and England shot-stopper was past his prime – wasn't he?

That perception could not have been more wrong. What an impact Hart has had. The goalkeeper has gone on to become a vital cog in the green and white machine and, as a vocal player and leader on and off the park, he got the club and bought into the Celtic collective from the get-go.

Statistically he’s performed about as expected (goals saved above average is -0.01) while some doubts remain over his ball-playing suitability and claiming power. Nevertheless, Parkhead has been as good for Hart as he has been for Parkhead. The 35-year-old credits Celtic with helping him fall in love with football again – it’s a love that is about to take him back to the Champions League. He’s an easy ‘success’ here.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Why Joe Hart holds key to derby success

Liam Scales

Appearances: 13; Minutes: 799; Goals (xG): 2 (0.7); Assists (xA): 2 (1.6); Def duel success: 47%; Interceptions per 90: 4.3

While showing flashes of decent play in his almost 800 minutes of action, Scales hasn’t been sighted since the 2-0 defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

Two goals and two assists provide a decent platform for what he can offer from left-back but concerns remain over his adaptation to the physical aspects of the game here despite his considerable frame.

Reports emerged recently of a loan move to Aberdeen – it might not be a bad idea.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also watch: Should Celtic send Liam Scales out on loan? – video debate

Liam Shaw, Osaze Urhoghide & Johnny Kenny

Combined appearances: 3; Combined minutes: 184

Not much to say here. Shaw accounts for two of the appearances and Urhoghide for 102 of the minutes. Both were sent out on loan in January. Kenny has yet to make his debut.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also read: Johnny Kenny scouted - The Irish up-and-comer with finishing touch and 'fighting spirit'

James McCarthy

Appearances: 22; Minutes: 846; Def duel success : 61% ; Interceptions per 90 : 4.5

Fairly or not, the fact McCarthy was handed a four-year deal last summer still hangs over him somewhat.

The perception of him as injury-prone is not one that really holds true – he has been available for 45 matchday squads – but his limited game-time and the resultant questions over his stylistic fit suggest his presence is more likely to remain a problem not of unavailability but of unsuitability.

He has shown the odd glimpse of being able to pull off an incisive pass but it’s not what you’d call a feature of his game and he’s more often found recycling the ball without express intent. There may be a role for him in the mould of someone to add a bit of steel to see out a game – but for now he can only really be declared success-adjacent.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also watch: Can James McCarthy cut it at Celtic? – video debate

Jota

Appearances: 40; Minutes: 3,222; Goals (xG): 13 (11.8); Assists (xA): 14 (9.9); Successful dribbles per 90: 6.8

Twenty-seven direct goal contributions in 40 appearances; almost double figures in ‘clutch’ strikes; an ever-present in the underlying data elite; the love of an entire fanbase after just a season… we could go on and on but what’s the point? You’re hardly going to be christened a superstar if you’re not a success, are you?

Verdict: Success

You should also read: The Celtic player whose goals have made the biggest impact this season

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Appearances: 45; Minutes: 4,407; Clean sheets: 22; Def duel success: 72%; Interceptions per 90: 4

Of all the new arrivals who have made a difference to the Celtic team this season, Carter-Vickers’ impact has arguably been the most immense.

What started as a routine season-long loan with an option to buy from Tottenham Hotspur became a deal that Celtic had to (and did) complete ahead of their tilt at the Champions League group stages.

Composure, assertiveness, crucial goals and clean sheets… no wonder the 24-year-old earned a USA international recall after three years off the back of his Parkhead form. He was, more importantly, also a worthy inaugural TCW player of the season winner.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Every Celtic player’s 2021-22 season rated

Matt O’Riley

Appearances: 20; Minutes: 1,255; Goals (xG): 4 (2.1); Assists (xA): 1 (3.8)

It feels odd to say O’Riley has only made 20 appearances for Celtic – the way he has taken to the club makes it seem like he’s been flitting across the Parkhead turf for a few years.

His performances so far have impressed in their own right but arguably the more exciting thing is that they also tease – there is indisputably much more to come from the Denmark under-21 international.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: The unheralded Matt O'Riley skill that sets him apart as 'top' Celtic player

Reo Hatate

Appearances: 21; Minutes: 1,392; Goals (xG): 4 (2.4); Assists (xA): 2 (1.6)

Of the January signings it was Hatate who caught the eye first by scoring a howitzer against Hearts at Tynecastle. His double in the 3-0 Glasgow Derby battering in February – his first experience of the fixture remember – also helped Celtic hit the top spot from which they never looked back.

While the 24-year-old looked somewhat jaded as the season neared its end, he nonetheless played a pivotal role in the title win. Fans will feel there is more to come from him and, after a full pre-season, they’re right in that regard.

With a chance to rest and recuperate in the summer, Hatate firing on all cylinders on his return is a cracking prospect for the manager, the team and the Celtic supporters alike.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: We need to talk about Reo Hatate

Yosuke Ideguchi

Appearances: 6; Minutes: 150

An injury against Alloa Athletic halted Ideguchi’s first real attempt at making an impression and since then he’s been largely absent. A cameo in the 6-0 win over Motherwell on the final day gave a couple of hopeful glimpses but, in truth, next season is when Postecoglou has hinted he’ll be given a real opportunity.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also read: Yosuke Ideguchi scouted

Daizen Maeda

Appearances: 22; Minutes: 1,703; Goals (xG): 8 (7.7); Assists (xA): 3 (2.9)

Maeda did not make the instant impact of Hatate or O’Riley but he ended up arguably the best and most important of all three in the final stretch of the season.

His pressing intensity is fast becoming the stuff of legend and it’s reinforced by the fact he’s in with the division’s defensive midfielders when it comes to pressures and counter-pressures, while adjusting these metrics for possession catapults him above most of them.

Add in his 11 goal contributions in the minutes equivalent of just under 19 matches and essentially we’re ending this as we started: with a success story.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: How Celtic's ‘absolute pest’ Daizen Maeda helps harass opponents into submission