There looks to be a new update in the recent back-and-forth saga between Charlie Nicholas and Celtic skipper Neil Lennon.
After originally making outrageous claims about Celtic’s transfer efforts during the summer window and claiming that he knew the Hoops would go “cheap” on a left-back, Lennon responded just as any Hoops fan would hope.
However, it seems that Nicholas had to have the last laugh (for now) while repeating his claim that Celtic made no real upgrades in the window.
As reported by the Daily Record, writing on his Daily Express column, Nicholas called out the quality of the permanent signings directly, saying:
"“Yes, they may have spent money but have they made the team better than last season? My answer is still no. David Turnbull was probably around £3million and he is not going to get in the team, Albian Ajeti hardly played at West Ham, but has been the star signing and Vasilis Barkas is no better than Craig Gordon and he is certainly not an upgrade on Fraser Forster. At left-back they tried two or three options before they got there with Diego Laxalt.”"
Many Celtic fans will likely agree that Ajeti would be the star signing thus far of the permanent deals thus far, but it would be hard to discount Barkas’ efforts.
At 11 years younger than Craig Gordon, he had 16 clean sheets in 33 matches last season in Greece, adding eight in twelve matches thus far this season in Glasgow (averaging 180 minutes played per goal conceded). Now with Hearts, Craig Gordon made six appearances for the Hoops last year averaging a conceded goal every 140 minutes.
Speaking of the loan signings, he went on claiming:
"“A lot of the signings including Mohamed Elyounoussi, Shane Duffy and Laxalt are loans. The jury remains out on them also. I am a man who has an opinion on Celtic, Arsenal and everything in football because that has been my job for the best part of 30 years. I will make no apologies for having a go. I have never been one of these social media sheep. Neil is quite happy to tell all the fans and his social media that Charlie has been slagging Celtic off for years.”"
Regardless of loan vs. permanent deals, it would be hard to agree that “the jury remains out” on Elyounoussi and Duffy. Elyounoussi has displayed his talent once again after being cut short by injury last season, with4 goals and 3 assists through 12 matches in all competitions this season after being responsible for 13 goals in 20 matches last season.
Shane Duffy has been a fan favourite and absolute steal thus far, being a shining spot in an up-and-down defence thus far this season. Contributing on the attacking side and in set-pieces, Duffy has two goals and one assist as well in his seven appearances.