As Celtic finalise the signature of new recruit, Ben Davies, from Preston, the fans will be delighted that finally, the club seem to be getting their finger out to strengthen for next season. Davies comes highly rated from the English Football League and at just 25 years of age, the defender is just about coming into his prime and bringing a wealth of experience from what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, The English Championship.
But this signing does raise two questions that should alarm the Celtic support. The first question, and it is the question that I would say would upset the majority of Celtic fans is:
“Does this mean that Lennon has started the rebuilding job to prepare for next season?”
This season has been a complete wash out. From Lennon’s handling of unhappy players, to the TWO failed European campaigns, to being eliminated from the League Cup at home to Ross County, two Glasgow Derby defeats and the Dubai debacle, the results in all competitions have simply not been good enough.
The signing policy has been inept, with over £20m wasted this season with players that are simply not fit to wear the Celtic jersey with the exception of David Turnbull. If Davies is a target Lennon has specifically cited as a player that can change our fortunes, then this strongly suggests, in my humble opinion, that Lennon is going to be allowed another season a Celtic Park next season. I suppose a lot will depend on whether Preston come to a deal with Celtic and take a token fee rather than lose the player for nothing, but if not, and the player signs for free in the summer, the message is loud and clear. Lennon is going nowhere. Why else would a board sanction a move if there was going to be a change?
The second question, and I suppose it is not a surprising one, is:
“Is the board still in control of the signing policy for the first team?”
Now, like I said before, this is not a new question that has been aimed at the cub. In fact, it has been one that has been on the lips of the Celtic fans since the famous Brendan Rodgers “a million winger” quip at a press conference, but in truth is has been going on for years.
If this is in fact the case then the Celtic fans can forget any notion that a top manager like Eddie Howe will work under those kinds of conditions. Top managers want the run of the club, the say on who goes and who stays and this was ultimately one of the main reasons we lost Rodgers to Leicester.
Whatever the answer is to those questions, the future certainly doesn’t look any brighter after today.