Chris Sutton feels his former aspect Celtic are beginning the brand new season with a weaker squad than final time period.
The ex-striker has additionally warned the Scottish champions they may very well be taking a Champions League threat if they don’t strengthen quickly.
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Celtic have introduced again Kieran Tierney and signed Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren and Japan attacker Shin Yamada, however fellow summer time signings Hayato Inamura and Callum Osmand might take time to achieve first-team degree.
The Glasgow aspect bought Nicolas Kuhn – one among final season’s star performers – to Como and will likely be with out injured winger Jota for a long-term interval. Left-backs Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp have additionally departed.
“In case you have a look at the squad going into the season, it is nonetheless a bit bit mild,” Sutton mentioned previous to Celtic’s league opener with St Mirren on Sunday.
“Brendan Rodgers, every part I’ve seen him trace and say, he feels the identical. The actual fact Brendan talked about ambition, he’s at all times fairly calculated in what he says and the phrases that he makes use of.
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“I feel that is a bit warning shot throughout the bows to say ‘we have to deliver gamers in’. It is truthful to say the squad aren’t as robust proper now as they had been on the finish of final season, and that is not splendid. However there’s nonetheless loads of time left within the switch window.
“In case you look again ultimately season, Celtic gained the league within the first half of the marketing campaign. They gained 16 of their first 18 video games, set off like a home on hearth and there was actual momentum going into the season from pre-season. It does not fairly really feel like that in the meanwhile.
“They usually did not have the burden of the Champions League qualifiers final season and we all know how monumental they’re for the membership.”
Celtic should win a play-off to keep away from dropping into the Europa League and the primary leg will likely be on August 19-20.
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“Celtic have been on this place earlier than the place they’re signing gamers when the Champions League qualifiers have already begun,” Sutton added. “That is not splendid.
“You do not need them studying on the job when the Champions League has began after which lacking out. We all know how huge these video games are. In case you’re barely off it, then you will get beat.
“We are going to discover out on the finish of subsequent month whether or not Celtic have executed sufficient. It is okay for pundits to say ‘the board must do extra’, however on the finish of subsequent month if Celtic deliver one other few gamers in of high quality which goes to elevate the squad, all effectively and good.
“If not, then clearly persons are going ask questions on why they’re weaker now than they had been on the finish of final season.”
[BBC]