If, like many Celtic fans, you are honestly baffled by what you see as Brendan taking a big risk with our Champions League qualification hopes by his refusal to sign a third striker or some backup in central defence, there are a couple of things you might want to consider.
First, when we played Astana last season, can you remember how the back line read?
There was no Simunovic. There was no Sviatchenko. Or Boyata. We went three at the back, and two of those were O’Connell and Efe Ambrose!
Yes. The same Efe Ambrose who’s now at Hibs.
And we got out of that tie with a very credible 1-1 draw.
Suddenly the thought of a back four including Nir Biton doesn’t seem half bad, right?
Secondly, we’re in a much improved place from the last time we went up against this team. Sure there’ll be no Dembele in this squad, but then there was no Scott Sinclair last time around. The player of the year will make a big impact on these games.
Still, it’s disquieting when you consider than any injury from now until some players are back will be enough to provoke panic in some parts of Celtic Park and hysteria in the press. If Griffiths gets injured who the Hell steps in to score the goals, for example?
If something happens to Simunovic I’ll be able to hear the weeping from this seat.
Mostly because I’ll be the one doing it.
All this doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense.
Brendan is taking a big chance here, isn’t he?
Or is he?
Maybe there’s more to this than meets the eye.
For one thing, Brendan isn’t wrong to say that we’re well covered at the back.
I would say we do need someone up front, but the sense of buying a striker when we only play one up front is difficult to see when everyone’s fit. And we’re building something special here, not simply filling the bench with squad filler.
To sign another defender would mean either bringing in someone who can supplant current first team players or basically buying just for the sake of it.
Signing a striker would mean bringing in someone who’s third choice, and knows it.
The Daily Record was trying to tout Louis Moult to us yesterday.
And if we sign a third choice striker that’s exactly the calibre we’re talking about.
Why would we bother?
So there is an inescapable logic to Brendan’s point of view.
But there’s another explanation, and it has to do with the transfer budget.
Brendan knows exactly what he’s got to spend and what the priorities are.
I think he’s also got a fair idea who the next signing is going to be … and every available penny is earmarked for that deal.
Is it Patrick Roberts?
Interest in him continues.
The two clubs have reportedly agreed on a fee – my source on this is very good – and all that allegedly remains is for the player to decide that the move is the one he wants.
He has other options, of course … but then, so does Celtic.
Another wide-player, someone who can cut inside and score goals, is what Brendan is looking for and there’s plenty in the kitty to bring in a good one. Roberts would be the first choice for obvious reasons, but he is not the only player on the radar.
Brendan knows that a club our size has to prioritise.
He’s looked at our squad and decided another centre back isn’t what’s required at the moment.
He’s looked at the forward line and knows Griffiths and Dembele will score goals and that if he can get his goal scoring winger we’ll have all the firepower we need.
It looks, on paper, like a risk but Brendan believes so strongly in his team and the board in him that the risk is not seen as particularly great.
So whilst it’s a gamble it seems to be a calculated one. Brendan isn’t interested in a Caixinha-style splurge where you bring in nine players instead of a couple of obvious gems. That enhances a team far more than going all-out and trying to recruit an entire squad.
The man knows exactly what he’s doing here.
The money is there, but I reckon it’s earmarked for the player he really wants and thinks the team really needs.
It’s all about trust, and Brendan has certainly earned ours.