Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has stuck the boot in once again after it was announced that Diego Laxalt has joined the club to provide competion at left-back.
Writing in his Daily Express column, reported by The Daily Record, Nicholas backs up his claims from a previous column where he claimed that the Hoops would go for the cheapest option.
So what has Nicholas said?
The sacked Sky Sports pundit criticised the recruitment team for the signing of Laxalt and the board’s failure to back the gaffer when he said:
“I said Celtic would go cheap in their pursuit of a left-back. I knew they wouldn’t spend money on a defender that Neil Lennon has been ever so patient for.
“I don’t think Lennon has been given much of a helping hand, if I am being honest.
“He had to work double time to get anything out of so-called wealthy Celtic. I’d imagine he’ll be pretty annoyed this morning. I am sure he will put on a brave face but I don’t think he will have got anything close to what he was looking for.
“Albian Ajeti will get him goals but there are still question marks in other areas of the Celtic team.
“Rangers must be looking at it thinking that they got the better of the deals.
“Celtic were a stronger side last season. The main positive for Lennon, right, is that all his main players are staying, although I am not convinced Olivier Ntcham, Kris Ajer and Tom Rogic are happy.”
So is Nicholas correct?
No, he’s completely missed the point of how the modern transfer market works, to put it into perspective, Laxalt was a £13million plus signing for AC Milan, Celtic couldn’t justify that sort of figure outright so using the loan market makes sense.
Has Lennon been backed this summer?
Yes
No
There was no reason for Lennon to break the bank for a left-back either, Greg Taylor is still finding his feet but has shown that he is capable of contributing to the Hoops attack and has four assists already this season.
The nature of Boli Bolingoli’s departure wouldn’t have been planned for either so Nick Hammond and the recruitment team now have a year to identify a long-term replacement, plus, there may be targets that will be out of contract at the end of the season – there is no need to sign them now when they will soon be available for free – it’s little wonder Nicholas finds himself with plenty of spare time at the weekends now if this is the sort of nonsense he’s been coming out with.