Celtic turbocharge key area in big money splash as ace's 'ruthless streak' can be upgraded with new transfer
One of Hoops’ new boys has a familiar redeeming quality
Celtic striker Camilo Duran has a ‘ruthless streak’ in him that will only be enhanced by fellow new attacking addition Kasper Hogh, according to former Hoops man Scott Allan.
The Colombian has scored three in three so far during pre-season since his £6m move from Qarabag and looks in the mood for more ahead of the new season - which will get underway on Monday night for the champions at home to Dundee. Latest addition Kasper Hogh also comes with goalscoring pedigree after his Champions League heroics last season for Bodo Glimt. The Dane has become Celtic’s most expensive ever player at £11m.
A ‘ruthless streak’ was a phrase synonymous with Hoops hero Daizen Maeda, who recently completed his £10m move to Ipswich Town. In Duran and Hogh, Celtic have enlisted proven prolific goal scorers at the highest level, something which Allan believes will aid them in the impossible task of replacing Maeda’s output. The Japan international scored nine goals in Celtic’s last seven games last season to secure the domestic double.
New Hoops star’s ‘ruthless streak’ can help them go far
Speaking on BBC Sounds’ Scottish Football Podcast, Allan said: “If you look back at last season, I think a lot of fans were expecting the work to be done maybe in that early part of the transfer window. It wasn't, but the signing of Kasper Hogh for Celtic is a massive plus. Then (Camilo) Duran as well for me, he’s someone who I like, he runs in behind and likes contact.”
“But most importantly, looks like he's got a ruthless streak in him and can put the ball away. At the same time, they still need to add in the wide areas to give the players more chance of scoring goals. But I think they'll be better than they were last season and I think after a slow transfer window, I think Celtic fans are starting to see a resemblance of a team coming together.”
Frustrations were growing at the start of the window among Celtic supporters for their passivity in the transfer market, a theme which many claim cost them Champions League football last season. However with a combined £17m fee for the two new boys, they’re slowly getting back on track. Now all that’s left is to find out how Hogh and Duran compliment one another.
Defensive returnees vital for Hoops
At the other end of the pitch, defenders Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers are ready to go having both full recovered from injuries. Celtic just about coped last season without the North American duo but Allan believes having them available is a huge boost for the upcoming campaign. He added: “First and foremost at the back, you've got Alistair Johnston and (Cameron) Carter-Vickers back who play alongside each other down the right side of the defence.
“We just didn't see that at all last year and there were so many vulnerabilities defensively as well. But at the same time they still managed to come through that season, they won all the games in the split and became champions. So I think they'll be a lot better than they were last year. You're starting to see signings slowly, but surely come into building for Celtic and that was so much needed.”