Paul Lambert, a former captain of Celtic, has weighed in on the club's current predicament, stating that they are 'nowhere near good enough' without further recruitment. This statement comes as a shock to many, given Celtic's status as Scottish champions. However, Lambert's comments are not entirely surprising, considering the club's recent struggles and the departure of key players.
The summer transfer window has seen Celtic make only one significant signing, bringing in striker Camilo Duran. While midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new contract, the club has failed to retain the services of forward Kelechi Iheanacho and former left-back loanee Marcelo Saracchi. Iheanacho has joined Bursaspor as a free agent, and Saracchi has bid farewell to Celtic fans, indicating a potential return to Europe. Additionally, German centre-half Maik Nawrocki has been sold to Lens.
Lambert's assessment of the squad's strength is stark, stating that Celtic are 'nowhere near good enough' at this moment in time. He believes that the problems faced last season will persist, and the club needs to address its recruitment strategy. Lambert estimates that Celtic needs to spend around £8-10 million on recruitment infrastructure alone to compete domestically and in European terms.
Despite the dire situation, Lambert urges against 'panic stations'. He draws parallels between Celtic's current state and the Championship, a league that the Premier League was 10-15 years ago. Lambert emphasizes that Celtic is a winning club and must compete on all fronts. He argues that the club cannot rely on developing young players and needs ready-made players to compete in the Champions League.
The club's chief executive, Michael Nicholson, acknowledges the challenges Celtic faces, citing competition from English Premier League and Championship clubs for players and agents. With the season opener against Dundee on August 3rd and the Champions League play-off stage later in the month, Celtic's immediate future remains uncertain.
In conclusion, Paul Lambert's comments highlight the urgency of Celtic's situation. The club must address its recruitment strategy and invest in its squad to compete effectively. While the current state may be concerning, the potential for improvement exists, and Celtic fans can only hope that the necessary steps are taken to restore the club's former glory.
