With Ange Postecoglou the front runner and undoubted favourite to become the new Celtic manager, all hands are needed on the recruitment front.
The Hoops will have a busy summer ahead of them but as well as improving their first-team options, they can’t afford to hinder the opportunities for young players coming through.
On the chalkboard
One of the biggest sources of criticism for Celtic over the last 12 months has been a reluctance to hand chances to their reserve players.
This was a terrible campaign for the Bhoys, one which ended without a single trophy in their cabinet.
They had lost the league in March but still refused to give regular minutes to those waiting in the wings.
Adam Montgomery earned his first taste of senior football but was restricted to one start while Karamoko Dembele is still waiting for his full debut.
The teenager scored his opening first-team goal against St Johnstone but was bizarrely kept to a place on the bench on the final day.
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They both impressed, however, and should be given larger roles next term.
What’s the recruitment policy?
Celtic are set to welcome young midfielder Liam Shaw to Paradise this summer but a number of other up and coming rising stars from the English Football League could join him.
Peterborough’s Siriki Dembele and Wigan’s Kyle Joseph have both been linked with a switch to Parkhead but there is work to be done before they become realistic targets.
Celtic are at the stage now where they need to move away from experienced campaigners. If this season told us anything it’s that the Bhoys need fresher and more vibrant faces in their squad.
Therefore, the idea of Barry Douglas arriving this summer should be forgotten about.
Neil Lennon wanted to bring the left-back to Glasgow last year but they ultimately decided to sign Diego Laxalt instead.
The Uruguayan has now headed back to Milan so they could revive their chase. The Lancashire Telegraph report this week that Celtic still have Douglas on their radar.
He spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Blackburn from parent club Leeds but the Yorkshire side will release him at the end of June.
As a consequence, the 31-year-old will be available to snap up on a free transfer. That’s a tempting offer for Celtic but given his age, they must avoid it.
After all, Postecoglou will have Greg Taylor at his disposal and will also have Montgomery primed and ready for more first-team action.
Douglas would not only put a halt to the teenager’s development but his best qualities would be limited at Celtic.
Described as “fantastic” by Gordon Strachan, the former Wolves defender has become known as a set-piece wizard.
He’s created a vast number of goals down the years, supplying 15 in one season for the Old Gold. Though, with David Turnbull such an impressive exponent of set-play deliveries, Douglas wouldn’t be needed in that area.
Therefore, the positives of signing him are incredibly limited. Dominic McKay is wasting his time and should ensure Celtic stick with what they have on the left-hand side of defence.