Alan Stubbs has raised valid concerns about Celtic’s recruitment strategy, admitting he’s “perplexed”.
This critique sheds light on broader issues within the club’s approach to bolstering the squad, especially since the departure of former manager Ange Postecoglou.
Stubbs’ observation that Celtic’s substitutes against Kilmarnock— Yang, Oh, Kuhn, Bernardo, and Bernabei—may not be strong enough to elevate the team underscores a critical challenge facing the club.
These players all came on to attempt to change the dynamic of the game, but it just didn’t work out as Rodgers had planned.
Speaking on Go Radio, Alan Stubbs said: “If Celtic have their best XI on the pitch then it’s a different story but they have to go with what they’ve got.
“Just look at their bench from Saturday – Oh, Kuhn, Bernardo, Bernabei – and I’m not sure whether they’re players who can take them to the next level.
“I’ve been perplexed with some of the signings and this could be the bit that bites them on the backside in terms of their recruitment policy over the past 18 months since Ange has gone.”
Celtic’s recruitment woes have indeed had tangible consequences, as they now sit second on the league. The summer signings have largely failed to make a significant impact, with Luis Palma being a possible exception, but his extremely inconsistent performances have left fans demanding more from the winger. While it might be premature to fully assess the contributions of January additions Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn, early indications suggest that their effectiveness remains uncertain, especially the winger, whose performance was embarrassing against Kilmarnock.
