TACTICAL EVOLUTION: ARE CELTIC PLANNING TO GO WITH TWO UP FRONT NEXT SEASON?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
I spoke earlier today about the importance of Celtic pursuing more than one target in our efforts to strengthen the first team ahead of the new season.
However, I have to admit, I read reports today that have me surprised and wondering if a more fundamental change is on the cards.
Celtic Step Up Plans to Add Two More Strikers: A Sign of Things to Come?
Since the story broke yesterday afternoon (Japan time) about Celtic making efforts to take Napoli forward Giuseppe Ambrosino on loan with an option to buy, I assumed this was because our interest in Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada had cooled.
However, the word from Japan today is that Yamada remains on the verge of a move to Celtic, possibly to be concluded this week, or early next when his Japanese national team commitments are fulfilled.
So, it doesn't seem like a case of one, or the other, but both.
If these two transfers go through, and that remains a massive “if”, then Celtic would, in effect, have 6 strikers to choose from. Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, Callum Osmand, Daizen Maeda, Yamada and Ambrosino.
Now, Kenny, it seems likely, will go out on loan. Although I have always insisted that Daizen’s best position is center forward, most Celtic fans and perhaps our manager too, see him primarily as a winger.
That still leaves 4 strikers competing for a solitary berth up front.
That doesn't make sense. Unless, as I am beginning to suspect, we are planning to go with 2 up top next season.
Celtic also seem to be aggressively pursuing central defenders, especially left-sided ones, according to the most recent transfer rumors. This could also point to a changing of the back line, perhaps to a back three.
Now, the obvious suggestion here would be to go with a 3-5-2. However, I think something more along the lines of 3-4-1-2 is more likely.
This would allow us to deploy Kieran Tierney as either the left side of a back three, or as a left wing-back. That kind of dynamic flexibility could be especially useful in Europe next season.
This would also accommodate new signing Benjamin Nygren, who again can play as a winger, but operates best in that number 10 role just behind the front line. Both Shin Yamada and Giuseppe Ambrosino can also operate in that playmaker role, if required.
Of course the final call on this will be with the manager, but if indeed we are going to go with this more open and attacking formation next season, then the current recruitment strategy suddenly makes a lot more sense.
Now, I could be completely wrong here. Indeed one reader reminded me of the importance of humility and self-reflection yesterday, when he highlighted that I once predicted that Yuki Kobayashi would be a big hit at Celtic!
So, take this with a grain of salt, but beginning tonight in Ireland, it will be interesting to see if Brendan Rodgers does, indeed, experiment with some new formation ideas over the next few games.
