Celtic: Another Successful Transfer Window

Photo Credit: Celtic FC

It’s been two weeks since the transfer window slammed shut, and the dust has settled on what was an extraordinary month – as far as January windows go.

While Scottish teams don’t quite have the resources of those south of the border, diamonds can be found in the rough, and clubs are broadening their horizons past the lower leagues of England and looking elsewhere for quality.

In the days of old, what Celtic fans could look forward to in the January window was a scattergun approach to signings. Many of which made no sense to the fans – or even the manager at times, evidenced by Brendan Rodgers when he said that Celtic had “about a million wingers and don’t need another one”, ahead of the signing of Ukrainian winger Maryan Shved.

However, with Postecoglou at the helm, Celtic fans have been forced to forget everything they thought they knew about transfer windows. The East End Side have excelled in bringing quality players to Parkhead from all over the globe for very modest prices.

While it’s too early to tell if the players will be of real quality, all signs point to the recent transfer window being another successful one for the hoops.

The club identified the areas which need addressed early, including positions which may be left vacant due to key players leaving such as Josep Juranovic, who was bought by Union Berlin for £7.5m, and Giorgios Giakoumakis moving to Atlanta United.

Somehow, Celtic managed to one-up their triple signing on New Year’s Day last year which saw Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Yusuke Ideguchi join the side. This time round Celtic had three of their four signings in the door and settled before the window opened.

Such forward planning allowed for Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston to make his debut in Celtic’s vital 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox – the player looked comfortable in his role and gave a very solid account of himself; such a performance may not have been possible if he hadn’t spent the month beforehand at Lennoxtown with his new teammates.

Before he penned on the dotted line, he contributed well to Canada’s efforts in the World Cup, with a standout performance against Belgium in their unlucky 1-0 defeat.

The Canadian international has since made six appearances for the Celts and continues to impress. He is definitely better defensively than his predecessor and has that edge of physicality that can be so beneficial in the Scottish game.

There is still room for improvement offensively but in Celtic’s 4-1 victory over St Johnstone, it was evident he was exploring more areas of the pitch and will keep adapting to his new role.

Celtic’s first signing of the winter was Japanese youngster Yuki Kobayashi on a free transfer. On the signing, Ange said:

“He’s at a really good age where he’s already had some great experience but with great potential ahead of him.”

The 22-year-old also fits the bill of the fabled left-footed centre back. He has unsurprisingly played just two games for the hoops thus far – Postecoglou values a settled centre back partnership very strongly and isn’t likely to rotate that area of the pitch as much as he does others. Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers were key to Celtic’s impressive title win last season, shipping just 22 goals. However, in his appearances, the youngster dealt with the physical side of the game well and was very composed on the ball.

Photo Credit: Celtic FC

Tomoki Iwata was Celtic’s second Japanese signing of the window. The 25-year-old comes to Celtic after receiving the 2022 Player of the Year award in the J-league, with that in mind it seems like daylight robbery that the Celts have acquired his services for a loan with a compulsory buy-option of £800,000.

Iwata’s stats in 2022 looks like he has all the contributes needed to thrive under ‘Angeball’, he completed the highest number of passes in the J-league. The role passing plays in Postecoglou’s system cannot be understated, with players told to pass with power, and encouraged to play the risky pass.

Another big part in Celtic’s play is pace, which Iwata seems to have in abundance. The centre midfielder registered the fourth highest top speed in the league last season, and at 25 years old, shouldn’t be slowing down any time soon.

Notably, the Celtic manager signed Iwata while he was at his former club Yokohama F. Marinos six months before he left for Celtic and has stated that he waited until now to purchase the player out of respect for his former club.

While statistically, he looks like he could be a perfect student of ‘Angeball’, the defensive midfielder role has been a kryptonite of sorts for Celtic under Postecoglou.

Celtic’s recruitment has almost had a 100% hit rate in other areas of the pitch since the Summer of 21’, but the club seem to continually struggle to find a quality player to fit inside that no.6 role.

McCarthy, Ideguchi, and Abildgaard have all failed to make the grade for Celtic. Although McCarthy seemed a confusing signing from the start – a player that was brought in when the club was in transition.

Players in that position are perhaps at a disadvantage from the start at Celtic. Captain Callum McGregor currently occupies the role of the deep lying midfielder, and to Celtic fans is the second definition that comes up in the dictionary under ‘undroppable’. Ange’s “We never stop” philosophy also doesn’t have room domestically for two players in that area.

However, the prospect of having the two players in midfield for European games excites me, Celtic have been overrun in the midfield for many years now in those fixtures. A solid midfield could be what changes the tide in Celtic’s misfortunes in Europe and allows Celtic to fulfill Postecoglou’s vision of the club.

Because of this, I’m very interested to see how Iwata fairs at Celtic. The best player in the J-league certainly isn’t coming to Scotland to sit on the bench for 10 months a year with the occasional European tour.

Celtic’s final signing of the window was South-Korean youngster Oh-Hyeon Gyu for a reported £2.4m. Rarely have I seen Ange so happy with the acquisition of a player, and the Aussie said:

“I have watched Oh for some time and he is the striker I really wanted as I think he will be a great fit in our squad.”

After the Cho saga, some may be hesitant to believe the statement, but with how chuffed he looked with the signing I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially considering Oh’s run of form last season.

The 21-year-old scored 14 goals in 38 appearances in what was his first full season in Korea’s top-flight, and after becoming Suwon Bluewing’s main striker he scored nine goals in 11 matches.

The Korean is 6ft1, and weighs 13 stone, just a little less than Giakoumakis. However, he’s a powerful presence on the pitch and from his appearances for Celtic he seems to be able to use his frame more effectively than the Greek striker and protects the ball well. On the more technical side, he completed 73.8% of his passes last season in the league, in case there is any worry about him being a liability.

The youngster could struggle to get consistent minutes this season, with Kyogo on top form having already scored 19 goals in 21 starts in the league. But with the constant rotations, Postecoglou makes with his line-ups, he’ll get plenty of opportunity to make his mark in the side.

By all accounts, it’s been another successful transfer window for Celtic and credit where it’s due – as someone who has been less than supportive in years gone by of those at the top, the board have backed Postecoglou well. The club are going about its business very well, operating at a net profit even with the impressive list of incomings, and I’m already excited to see what the Summer has to bring.