So, my first job is to check on the squad I'll be working with.
Craig Gordon – Plenty good enough for the Premier League and one of few players to have Premier League experience having been at Sunderland for 5 years. He’s 33 but still should have another couple of good seasons in him.
Dorus De Vries – Probably someone who won’t get a lot of game time, he should offer decent backup to Craig Gordon but isn’t someone who will be challenging for the number 1 jersy.
Overall – I think we’re fine in goal, we could possibly bring in a younger lad to challenge Craig Gordon a little bit more but I’m guessing we’ll have bigger concerns in the squad than this.
Center Backs
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– Despite his age he can still do a job for us this season, possibly his last season before retirement. Another one with Premier League experience and even a Premier League winners medal.
Derek Boyata – I’m really not sure about Boyata, great things were meant for him when he was a youngster at Man City but he’s never really kicked on. He’s 25 now and will want game time, something I’m not sure we can really offer him.
Jozo Simunovic – A young center half with bags of potential, he was at the club last season but didn’t feature too much due to injury. He’ll be wanting to put this right this season.
Erik Sviatchenko – Will probably be our first choice center back, is the right age and should fit into the Premier League.
Overall – We have a few options at center back without any of them being brilliant. We also have Efe Ambrose in the reserves to add further depth. If anything we could possibly bring someone in with some more Premier League experience and maybe look to move on Derek Boyata.
Full Backs
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Kieran Tierney – Has to be the standout full back in the squad, even at 19 years old. He really has the potential to be standout Premier League full back and must be first choice.
Emilio Izaguirre – Will be competition for Tierney but I’d seriously worry if we had to play him for any real length of time. Been at the club a long time but simply not enough for this level of football.
Mikael Lustig – Dependable as they come on the right hand side, plenty of experience with over 50 international caps and over 100 appearances for Celtic.
Cristian Gamboa – Similar to Izaguirre, Gamboa will be a back up player but I’m not convinced he’s even good enough for that.
Overall – Our first choice full backs are plenty good enough, however I seriously worry about the squad depth here. If either Tierney or Lustig were injured for any length of time then we’d really be struggling.
Center Midfield
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Nir Bitton – A decent enough midfielder who’s more defensive minded than anything else, only 24 so can improve but I wouldn’t want to start every game with him.
Scott Brown – Club captain and the heartbeat of this team. Been here for 10 years and will probably be the first name on the teamsheet. The only question mark I have is how we’ll do in the Premier League having never played there, we shall see.
Stuart Armstrong – More of an attack minded player but again I’m not sure he has Premier League class that’s needed, especially playing further forward.
Tom Rogic – Very similar to Nir Bitton although possibly more adaptable as can play more attacking if needs be. Again though, I’m concerned he lacks real quality to start in the middle of the pitch.
Kouassi Eboue – A young lad I have high hopes for, only 18 years old but looks quite a prospect. I’ll give him as much game time as needed but a loan move may suit his development more.
Overall – I feel we’re lacking here which needs addressing, it’s arguably the most important area of the pitch so at least one new signing will be needed.
Wingers
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Patrick Roberts – Another young lad with bags and bags of potential, unfortunately we’re unlikely to see that potential as he’s only on loan from Man City. Looks a good player already despite only being 19 and can play either wing which always helps.
James Forrest – Probably the biggest challenger to Patrick Roberts as they both look incredibly similar in terms of current ability. Possibly about to hit his peak though at 24 years old.
Scott Sinclair – The stand out player in these positions and possibly even the whole squad. Only just signed after being relegated with Aston Villa, had relative success with Swansea in this league though before a big money move to Many City didn’t work out.
Callum McGregor – Simply not good enough. We can hopefully bring in a couple of million for him which we can invest much better in the overall squad.
Kris Commons – Again, simply not good enough. Currently injured but when fit we’ll look to move on. Also is one of the top earners so may be difficult to shift.
Gary Mackay-Stevens – See Kris Commons.
Overall – I’m pretty happy with us here, if I’m being really critical then another winger would be useful. Especially if we sell the 3 mentioned that only leaves us with Sinclair, Forrest and Roberts which may not be quite enough.
Strikers
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Leigh Griffiths – My scouts and coaches seem to think this lad is good enough to start but I have my reservations, having never performed at Premier League level. Having said that he was never really given a chance at Wolves, scoring 12 goals in 4 years for them (all in League One).
Moussa Dembele – Another young lad who could become really special. He could genuinely move to a top 4 side in the next few years. My only concern is whether he can perform consistently every week when he’s only 19 and has played very little football in the past.
Overall – We’re desperate for signings here, certainly one and possibly two. Even if Griffiths and Dembele hit the ground running we’d still need further competition, especially if we play 2 up front.
Squad overview:
Overall, we need a lot of improving, we possibly have enough already to scrape past a relegation battle but I want better than that. We certainly need another striker, center half and central midfielder and could possible do with another winger and back up players for both full backs and goalkeeper.
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