Just like buses…
After what seemed an age waiting on a replacement for Joe Hart, Celtic seems to have solved that problem by bringing in not just one keeper, but two, as of course Celtic Shorts predicted at the weekend.
What’s that old saying about waiting on a bus? you wait on one for ages and two come along at the same time, well the same logic can be applied regarding Celtic’s vacant goalkeeping dilemma.
Hot on the heels of the Kasper Schmeichel news
Hot on the heels of the news that Kasper Schmeichel would be signing, it was revealed yesterday afternoon that we are close to securing the signature of Finnish international keeper Viljami Sinisalo.
Sinisalo who had a loan Spell at Ayr United three years ago is currently at Aston Villa, but has never played a competitive game for the Villans.
The 22 year old spent last season on loan at English league one side Exeter City and impressed as he picked up the club’s player of the year award.
A fee of around £1 million has been agreed
Sinisalo has also represented his country at full international level on three occasions so clearly has the talent and potential to be a great keeper.
A fee of around £1 million has been agreed and the 22 year old will sign for the club in the coming days. He will undoubtedly be seen as back up to Kasper Schmeichel, but will be groomed as a future number one with mentor Schmeichel at the tale end of his career.
Well done Brendan
It’s good news to finally have signed a reliable and experienced man to replace Joe, to sign another with great potential is an added bonus. Even more surprisingly it shows good forward planning by the club and has the hallmarks of decision making coming from the manager himself.
Just An Ordinary Bhoy
Thankfully we are now starting to potentially see Rodgers squad building operation starting to take a bit of shape now.
The most pleasing thing is that there is a fair amount of planning going into not just next season, but beyond that also imo?
Far too much bed wetting going on regarding the process involved, but seen signs of Rodgers intentions are always a welcome sight, even if it takes longer for way too many liking?
Always felt that 7 players would be required, but that number looks like it will possibly grow, especially if another attacking option along with idah is going to be sought after?
The LB position, still holds a few potential complications to be sorted out from within, before a definite conclusion to the position is going to be finalised, by the looks of things at present imo?
The delay could be upon Taylor and his contract situation at present imo?
With potentially Anderson, monty and frame, developing into potential options for the future, who could be in the no2 LB role, if Rodgers intends to bring another LB into the club during this window?
Of course many would be content with Taylor keeping the position, but would Taylor be prepared to play such a role, with only a year left upon his current contract?
Maybe things will become clearer during the USA tour, but wouldn’t say the LB position is going to be as clear cut as many were expecting all the same imo?
So wouldn’t like to call at present who are going to be our 2 LB options for next season at present?
Expecting another CB to be introduced also, but currently Dane Murray is looking at being given an opportunity to see if he can impress in the position?
Could yet make a strong challenge for the position that Welsh and rocki have within the squad, and potentially even moreso if rocki injuries continue to persist with him also?
Currently 5CB options already in place, but somehow dont believe it will remain that way either imo?
Midfield areas are currently in the same position with currently 7 options and potentially Turley boosting the number to 8 even if a B list player at present?
Still expecting a few changes in that set up at present also?
Currently our 8 homegrown quota required isn’t completed and as straight forward as many 25man squads have been formed upon, which is always a welcome sight for ourselves to start putting in place eventually?
The question still remains as to whether Rodgers would opt for a more experienced Scottish options available or stick with the younger options trying to break through for ourselves?
Personally think a more experienced Scottish Midfield option could be very beneficial for ourselves in squad terms, and maybe McGowan from Dundee could become a target for ourselves, moreso with SPFL in mind imo?
Another potential option in the wider areas would also be very welcome also?
Looking like Rodgers wants more pace within our wider areas, so could question where Palma could be regarded the bigger picture, but certainly showed enough to hold down a squad position for next season imo, not so sure regarded yang, so maybe a loan move might be in the offering for him still?
Wouldn’t like to say how we will potentially use the loan system next season either?
Could potentially bring in a couple of loan signings to ease the development process being put in place currently from within, but still not a fan of using the loan system in such a way myself?
Regarding the younger players who could benefit from more game time available elsewhere for development purposes, moreso than trying to put players in the shop window and trying to recoup money upon bad investments, would be more potentially beneficial to ourselves in the longer run also imo?
Might mean taking a hit in financial terms, but that’s also the cost of bringing in players without any real roles available for themselves within a squad either?
For myself this window was always going to be about changing a process to bring ourselves into a far stronger structure in place, to develop into the team that we are craving for at CL level, but require an overall squad to be formed properly also imo?
Wouldn’t be expecting a full 25man squad formed for such a level by the end of this window, but certainly a 25man squad where all 25 get to know there roles within it all the same?
Change takes time to be achieved, but certainly some very encouraging signs on show at present, even if not totally completed for the season ahead imo?
And of course there will be huge demands for the marquee signing as a replacement for Oreily, should he move on, but still some time will be needed before that picture becomes clearer, and Paulo is more than capable of filling the position at present, but still wouldn’t say he is going to be regarded as the replacement just yet either imo?