Pundit Tam McManus has delivered a scathing assessment of Celtic’s £25m summer transfer spend, questioning the value for money of the club’s big-name signings. Despite investing a club record £11m in German youngster Arne Engels, £9m in Adam Idah from Norwich, and £5m in Auston Trusty from Sheffield United, none of the trio started in the 3-0 defeat to Rangers, and only Trusty made the League Cup Final squad, only to be substituted at half-time.
McManus believes that Idah, in particular, needs to be given more game time to justify his hefty price tag. The pundit thinks that Idah is the type of player who requires regular starts to perform at his best, and that his current role as a bit-part player is not doing him any favors. McManus contrasted Idah’s situation with that of Kyogo, who he believes can thrive in a squad rotation system, but thinks that Idah needs to play 90 minutes every week to reach his full potential.
The pundit’s comments are not just a criticism of Idah’s abilities, but also a reflection of the challenges of integrating new signings into a team. When a player is signed for a significant fee, there is always a level of expectation that they will make an immediate impact on the team. However, this is not always the case, and it can take time for a player to settle into a new team and adjust to a new style of play.
In the case of Idah, McManus believes that the player needs to be given a consistent run of games to find his form and establish himself as a key player in the team. This is not just about giving Idah a chance to prove himself, but also about allowing him to develop a sense of rhythm and cohesion with his teammates. When a player is in and out of the team, it can be difficult for them to build momentum and establish a sense of consistency, which is essential for any team looking to achieve success.
McManus also expressed concerns about the overall impact of Celtic’s summer signings, suggesting that they have not yet lived up to their billing. He noted that Trusty is likely to return to the starting lineup after a poor performance from Scales, but that Engels has failed to make an impression so far. The pundit’s comments will likely resonate with Celtic fans, who are eager to see their big-name signings make a meaningful contribution to the team’s success.
The fact that none of Celtic’s summer signings started in the 3-0 defeat to Rangers is a concern, and it raises questions about the team’s overall strength in depth. While the team has a strong starting lineup, the lack of impact from the summer signings suggests that there may be a lack of quality in the squad. This is a problem that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will need to address, and it may require some tough decisions to be made about the team’s personnel.
Overall, McManus’s assessment of Celtic’s transfer business is a damning one, suggesting that the club’s significant investment has not yet yielded the desired returns. The pundit’s comments will likely spark a lively debate among Celtic fans, who will be eager to see their team’s new signings make a positive impact on the pitch.
It’s worth noting that McManus’s comments are not just a criticism of the players themselves, but also a reflection of the challenges of managing a team in the modern era. With the amount of money that is being spent on transfers, there is always a level of expectation that the players will make an immediate impact. However, this is not always the case, and it can take time for a player to settle into a new team and adjust to a new style of play.
In the case of Celtic, the team has a strong squad, but the lack of impact from the summer signings suggests that there may be a need for some adjustments to be made. This could involve giving more game time to the likes of Idah, or making some tough decisions about the team’s personnel. Whatever the solution, it’s clear that Celtic will need to find a way to get more out of their summer signings if they are to achieve success this season.
The situation is not unique to Celtic, and many teams in the Scottish Premiership are facing similar challenges. The league is highly competitive, and the teams are all looking to strengthen their squads and improve their chances of success. However, the fact that Celtic has spent £25m on summer signings and has not yet seen a significant return on that investment is a concern, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.
In conclusion, McManus’s assessment of Celtic’s transfer business is a damning one, and it highlights the need for the team to get more out of their summer signings. The pundit’s comments will likely spark a lively debate among Celtic fans, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.