Celtic has had one of their more successful January windows as 5 new faces joined the Scottish champions. Add to that the long term capture of Artur Boruc, which is as good news as a new player to many fans, and you have what can be described as an affirmation of the champions position of strength in financial terms.
As we all know though, money doesn’t guarantee success and we will need to see a vast improvement on the playing field if this season is to be perceived as a success but the Celtic board and management have taken positive steps towards making three-in-a-row a reality. The chance to progress to the last 8 of the Champions League is also a possibility, albeit a difficult one.
The capture of extra personnel may help Celtic as they continue to challenge for glory. One may argue that not all of the new faces will make too much of a contribution to the final stages of the season, but contributions will be made.
Our first signing of the window was highly rated right back Andreas Hinkel. Signed from Sevillia for a couple of million shekels at the start of the transfer period (as we predicted) Hinkel slotted straight into the team only to be struck by the curse of the right back. We expect Hinkel to be due for selection soon and if he can consistently produce performances like the one he managed on his debut then he will be a big asset to the Club.
Next to join was Koki Mizuno, a 22 year old winger from Japan. I have to admit to knowing little about this player other than what I have read on t’internet and I have purposely avoided watching any You tube footage of the player as I feel this can be as useful as a plasticine hammer. I will wait to see him in the flesh before passing judgement on his potential. It is still not obvious how this player will slot into the team, whether it will be as cover for our current wingers or whether he will take a starting place in a revamped formation only time will tell.
The capture of one time Rangers target Georgios Samaras on loan till the end of the season was a great piece of business by the club. He has not produced the kind of performances that inspired Manchester City to spend 6M on him in the EPL but I like the idea of signing a player who is hungry to restart his career. The fact that we have first option to buy the player outright is also a positive move. Many feel that he will replace JVH in the starting line-up at the earliest opportunity.
Next we come to Barry Robson, which is as confusing a signing as you could imagine! I am a big fan of the players left foot and tenacious play but I just can’t see where he would fit into this side? It is well known that he is capable of playing any left-sided position and also can be called upon to play centrally but what is the point of buying a player to play out of position? Will an out of position Robson be any better than the player currently occupying that position is? Yes he could add a bit of grit, especially to away performances but why buy a player to suit away games? Our starting 11 should be good enough to match most teams home and away.
And finally we welcome young striker Ben Hutchinson from ‘boro, who arrived at the club last night for an undisclosed fee after the EPL team decided to get rid of the player who was due to arrive in the summer. Again I must admit I know little of this player and it is widely recognised that he is one for the future rather than one who will be challenging for a starting berth this season.
Heading out the exit door is Jim O' Brien who is off to Tannadice on a loan deal and Jiri Jarosik who is expected to head to Russia before their transfer window closes in March
So a big Celtic welcome to all the new recruits, may you settle quickly and may your god go with you. And all the best to those who are heading to pastures new.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt