Celtic board smash transfer criticism but chiefs told 'marquee' summer move won't fix all their problems
The Celts have just broken their transfer record on their second summer addition
Celtic’s ‘marquee’ summer signing Kasper Hogh is one of the biggest in decades, according to Tony Watt - but the Hoops hero claims there’s work still needing to be done in the summer transfer window.
The 25-year old forward completed his move from Bodo Glimt for £11m - the highest fee Celtic have ever forked out for an individual. In Hogh they’ve signed a player who has experience scoring on the Champions League stage, as well as an internationalist with his native Denmark.
Former striker Watt knows a thing or two about scoring at the highest level. The Scotsman gained legendary status at Celtic Park for scoring the winner against Barcelona in 2012 in one of the biggest results in the club’s history. He believes the ‘marquee’ addition of Hogh ranks highly among Celtic’s best. The club have also enlisted Camilo Duran from FK Qarabag at the top end of the pitch, as he completed his £6m move earlier in the window.
Watt on ‘marquee’ Hoops signing
Speaking on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard, Watt compared the business done so far with last season’s, while also giving props to the Celtic board, who have come under criticism for their lack of movement in this window. The Partick Thistle forward said: “Has Duran not scored in every game? He looks a real handful. Celtic have also got Cameron Carter-Vickers back and Alistair Johnston is coming back for a full season. Celtic look in good shape, but they still need a few and I get that, but this signing... I wouldn't say it's the best signing in my lifetime because there's been a few right good ones. But it's probably the most marquee signing when needed.”
The combined £17m additions of Duran and Hogh has slightly softened the blow of Hoops icon Daizen Maeda, who completed his £10m transfer to Ipswich Town last week. The Japan international scored nine goals in his last seven Celtic appearances to help secure them the domestic double last season. Given his pressing ability and attacking output, Celtic were always going to have an uphill task replacing Maeda, but in their new attacking duo, they’ve made a start.
Record breaking addition takes heat off board
Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and CEO Michael Nicholson have come under criticism for their lack of transfer movement in windows gone by. Last season, the club failed to replace the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah and were subsequently forced to sign Kelechi Iheanacho as a free agent after missing out on several targets.
The move ultimately was a success, but by the time it was made Celtic were already out of the Champions League - where supporters want them to be. Watt went onto praise the board this time around after not repeating the failings of last season. He continued: “Celtic have went out and signed two number nines. Don't get me wrong, they're still early to win everybody back. The fans were saying the board don't want to spend money and they've just went out and smashed the transfer record."