This is a story of Yin (Big) and Yang. It has the success in the transfers market, but it also has a plot turn. A Celtic narrative to recruit players who meet certain criteria now has another thread of experienced players that are recruited at the upper end of the market with proportional wages.
Yang Hyun-Jo, the 22-year-old South Korean, signed an unleasible but presumably relatively moderate rates against Hibernian last Sunday before Big Yin Adam Idah, 24-year-old Irish, signed last summer since Norwich City for a reported rate of £ 9 million. His own presence emphasizes change in recruitment.
Similarly, the loan firm of Jeffrey Schlupp and the return to Celtic de Kieran Tierney and Jota in the last transfer window complied with the approval of most fans, but it is a deviation from the previous policy.
Brendan Rodgers must decide whether to buy potential or experience this summer
The extreme Nicolas Kuhn joined Celtic for £ 2.5 million, but now it is a precious asset
Yes, Celtic signed as Kasper Schmeichel, Joe Hart and Aaron Mooy in the past, but these were the atypical values instead of the norm. The policy in Parkhead was characterized by signing young players with a relatively low profile that had played international minor, was willing to sign for a salary of around £ 13,000 per week or less, and that had the potential to be sold for a substantial rate.
The strangest aspect of this policy was how it has been ridiculously ridiculous for some press sections and fans on social networks. However, it has been spectacularly successful. First, balances simply reveal this statement as a solid truth. Celtic is sold well already higher and higher prices. Tierney, Jota and Matt O'Riley departed for rates on the support of £ 25 million £ 30 million.
But a more intriguing story lies in the price ranges below where sports excellence has been demonstrated.
Mark Lawwell decided to leave the club a year ago. I had a main role in the identification of objectives. He arrived in Celtic after 10 years in an exploration and senior recruitment post in City Football Group, owners of Manchester City, usually described as an elite football operation.
Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic this summer when his arsenal contract expires
His task in Celtic was to identify the players for Ange Postecoglou, the manager who identified for Celtic and subsequently brought him to the club, and then Brendan Rodgers. The manager has the final decision on all transfers.
However, Lawwell's record was convicted by some, qualified unsatisfactory by many. A cold exam of those who identified and helped recruit a different story.
Yang's sudden ascent is the most recent example. The young end was labeled as “a failure” so recently that the wounds inflicted by this raw insult are still fresh. However, it is now considered an asset and one that probably improves. It has been called for a South Korean team that is two games of the qualification for a World Cup.
This trip to redemption was also more recently walked by Nicolas Kuhn, an end of £ 2.5 million, also identified by Mark Lawwell, who is now interesting in the Premier League and English Bundesliga with his rate would probably be in the same range as O'Riley. Kuhn was 'a failure' for some at this time last year.
They have taken the opportunity to impress when selected for the equipment. Others have not found the favor of Brendan Rodgers. This is a routine story in football: recruited players, the manager does not like some of them, these unfortunate leave.
But what happens next is also instructive. The rags can explode. Bajo Ange Postecoglou, Lawwell explored and recruited Alexandro Bernabei, Oh Hyeon-Gyu and Alistair Johnson.
The Canadian international Alistair Johnston has been promoted as a future Celtic captain
Bernabei was signed by £ 3 million Lanus in Buenos Aires and went to International from Brazil for £ 4.5 million in January. He was voted in the League year team on the left side. Oh, 23, has also had an impact on Genk. It is believed that the Celts obtained profits in the firm when he moved to Belgium. The South Korean has helped his club to a healthy advantage at the top of the Pro Division and is also in the South Korean team.
Johnston has simply been a jewel. The rate for the Canadian is unknown, but certainly less than £ 3 million. At 26, he faces an intriguing dilemma. It is an obvious candidate for Celtic Captaincy if it stays to complete a recently signed long -term agreement. But it is also an objective for EPL clubs, again with a price of proportions of O'Riley.
Celtic, thus, obtained a financial gain in Bernabei and Oh and would be substantial if the Canadian full-back decided his career elsewhere.
The signings that Lawwell identified for Rodgers' merit investigation. Kuhn has been a spectacular success and Yang has demonstrated potential lately. It was a bit interesting to observe the South Koreans who come when the Celtic manager sought to revitalize the three Celtic strikers in the last stages of the quarterfinals of the Scotland Cup against Hibs last week.
Jota, who still seeks full aptitude, was the obvious candidate to leave, but Idah usually appears with Daizen Maeda moving from par. Instead, the young South Korean was entrusted with a substitute appearance with Maeda retaining the central role. Idah entered later and scored. But Yang's cameo confirmed that Rodgers has greater confidence in him.
Paulo Bernardo has also been a success. His transition from the firm of loans to full -time recruit was completed last summer. Until his injury, it was an important part of the team. Captain of the Portuguese team Sub-21, the midfielder already seems like an investment with copper fund.
The others that Lawwell recruited for Rodgers has different stories. They are Maik Nawrocki, Odin Thiago Holm, Hyeokkyu Kwon, Luis Palma and Gustaf Lagerbielke. Transfer rates are notoriously difficult to quantify precisely, but Nawrocki was significantly the highest to £ 3.5 million, but has struggled to find a place in the team.
The Polish defender Maik Nawrocki has fought to cause an impression in Celtic
Lagerbielke, with whom he formed a central defensive association in Ibrox in 2023 that claimed a clean sheet, has found that the loan is a rewarding experience. Now he is back in the Swedish team after the outstanding performances for FC Twente led him to make regular appearances in the Eredivisie team of the week.
Palma, who continues to impress with Honduras, is now in Olympiacos on loan. Kwon has played more than 20 loan games in Hibs this season.
This list covers a variety of experiences and achievements, but the accusations of a series of 'doubts' do give the lie. It will be seen by some as simply a defense of the Mark Lawwell record. Readers can evaluate the evidence and make their own judgments.
However, the club has undoubtedly moved to a different kingdom. The amount available for transfers has increased appreciable. Idah, Aaron Trusty, Arnie Engels, for example, cost a combined £ 27 million.
Now intriguing questions are being asked. As the 49ers move towards the southern side of Glasgow, their emphasis will be in intelligent recruitment with the use of analysis. What will be the strategy on the other side of the city?
Has the old model be abandoned or will be used together with considerable financial muscle? Will Rodgers prioritize the experience on potential? Is Asia drag and low European leagues? Is it now about buying at the upper end of the market or acquiring experienced free transfers?
Questions, questions. They will be answered in the summer.