The 3 crucial items left on Celtic's summer to-do list

Fellow TCW columnist James Dailey has already written a piece of whether the squad is up to the Champions League challenge.

Given Champions League-ready players are likely outside Celtic’s budget, the manager will continue to prioritise system and coherence over individual to bridge that gap.

This take is more one of squad management and what shape are Celtic in; what are their priorities and by when?

At the end of last season the conclusion was simple: much to do!

So, are Celtic done yet?

Let's take a look...

Goalkeepers

Celtic had a minor cull in the summer with Ryan Mullen, Ross Doohan and young Ethan Mitchell all departing. It looks as if Tobi Olawuyemi will be the B-team's first pick.

That leaves him fourth choice behind Joe Hart, Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain.

In summer my observation was: “Agree who is the next in line after Hart and Bain (e.g. Oluwayemi), and/or buy a new keeper who will have the “Ange-ball” attributes to push them and potentially move Bain on”.

It remains to be seen whether Bain is happy to be the third pick given his age and stage of career.

The keeper brought in was Siegrist, who is more of a Hart-style keeper than an agile, skilful type comfortable playing 50 yards from his own goal. That made little sense, albeit Siegrist is a good shot-stopper.

This remains an area where the club as a whole needs some succession planning in terms of keepers who fit the mould of being proactive in taking crosses and through balls allied to being comfortable with the ball at their feet.

This remains an area for attention albeit not a priority for the summer.

Defenders

In May, it was posited that Celtic need two centre-backs and one left-back.

The budget was well and truly stretched on bringing Cameron Carter-Vickers back permanently. This is a great move as Celtic now have a valuable asset and a trusted/known player with much growth potential.

Celtic trod the well-worn loan to buy path for Moritz Jenz from FC Lorient. Budgets may now be under stress but, in any case, this approach is smart. Try before you buy.

Jenz seems ultra-keen to join permanently. The question will be is he good enough to take Celtic forward?

His attributes look promising; a younger and slightly faster version of Christopher Jullien, with a good passing range. Just as important is the man, a feature of Ange Postecoglou recruitment criteria, and the young fellow seems impressive in that regard.

The left-back spot saw the Argentinian Alexandro Bernabei brought in. The hope was for a first-team-ready player in this role. During pre-season, the 21-year-old has shown glimpses of attacking verve, pace and the ability to take up interesting field positions.

On the downside, and it is very early days, is his alarming tendency to surrender possession. He has also not yet shown defensive bite and resolve.

He is a young man in a foreign land at a very big club and barely speaks the language. Like Reo Hatate, give him space to adapt and take stock in January.

That doesn’t really help Celtic in the Champions League, though, where the ever-willing and improving Greg Taylor will continue to strive to overcome his physical limitations.

With Boli Bolingoli sold and Liam Scales on a season-long loan, it will fall to those two to fill that slot. Josip Juranovic will be the contingency plan.

So centre-back recruitment looks sharp and left-back recruitment will need to be assessed in the fullness of time. Jullien probably needs to be moved on with Jenz taking his place.

Midfielders

Possibly the most fascinating area of the team is central midfield.

With stalwarts Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic departed, Celtic also released youngsters Ewan Henderson, Luca Connell, Kerr McInroy and Barry Coffey.

With no new contract for Scott Robertson and no evidence of involvement in pre-season first-team action, it may be that he is moved on also.

Of those more senior players, Ismaila Soro is on loan with one foot out of the club. It will be surprising if James McCarthy, Yosuke Ideguchi or Liam Shaw play prominent parts this season.

That leaves a core of Callum McGregor, Hatate, Matt O’Riley, David Turnbull and Aaron Mooy for three positions.

It appears Celtic are well served for the '8' positions. However, only McGregor could be said to be able to cover the '6' role consistently.

Another box-to-box midfielder was sought and Mooy seems to be it. This wasn’t the level of physicality and athleticism required but it could prove a shrewd move in terms of unlocking tight defences.

The gap remains another defensive-minded midfielder to help out McGregor but also to offer the opportunity to play a 'double pivot' formation in Europe.

The club appears to be looking but the best they can hope for may be another loan-to-buy deal unless others can be sold for fees.

The McCarthy signing is a real conundrum. It ties up a senior spot, on likely high wages with little resale potential. His fit to the playing style is clearly limited. This may be one Celtic have to 'suck up' for the foreseeable.

Wingers

Celtic needed one winger and, remarkably, managed to get Jota back permanently.

Like Carter-Vickers, this is a player who is now a very valuable asset, has proven more than useful and. as Postecoglou observed, has a “very high ceiling” for growth and development.

So, all good then?

Not quite. It remains to be seen whether James Forrest, as he enters the veteran stage, can achieve the all-action, high-press, aggressive wing play the Australian demands. He is fit, so let’s assess that in January.

And behind the four first-choice wide men there is Owen Moffat and Mikey Johnston. There are reports Johnston may be allowed to leave on loan, while Moffat enters that twilight zone where he is too 'old' for the B league but doesn’t seem to figure for the first team either.

Celtic arguably still need more depth in the wide areas given the above. Again, this may depend on outgoings first.

Strikers

This isn't an area that needs more numbers - on the assumption that Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada cover striking options three and four behind Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Celtic probably need to shift Albian Ajeti, who clearly does not look likely to feature, to free up wages and a senior squad place.

Behind that is 19-year-old Johnny Kenny, who is included because he impressed in pre-season.

If you look at the three forward positions in the round, Celtic likely need a utility forward to cover wing and central striking options to be safe.

That should be a priority for the rest of the summer.

Summary

The to-do list is as follows:

This is a different dimension compared to the bin-fire of last summer. Relative tinkering compared to that overhaul.

But this remains a huge season for Celtic – another automatic Champions League spot beckons for the league winners. This will remain the priority. Achieve that, and the likelihood is no forced sales are needed next summer.