Now that we know that this was the last season in which Neil Lennon would take to the manager’s dugout, how does it compare to his past endeavours? A look at the team who romped to their third Scottish Premiership title in a row and how each of them impressed or failed to impact throughout the end of an era which saw a 45th league title head to Glasgow’s East End. Paul Fisher writes.
Goalkeeper
Fraser Forster – ‘La Gran Muralla’ featured in all but two of Celtic’s 53 games in all competitions this season and boy did he impress. Setting records for consecutive minutes for goals conceded may be overlooked by many because of lack of opposition or no real challenge but when in the face of everything thrown at him the big Englishman showed true talent. At 26, he is still young in goalkeeper years and a call-up to England’s World Cup squad is no more than he deserves.
Defenders
Adam Matthews – The Welsh full-back has had a torrid time of it through injury but when he has featured he has shown why the continued faith in him is given. A solid performer in both attack and defence, he shows real drive when the pressure is on and his tenacity on the wing is admirable, especially in a team full of great defenders.
Mikael Lustig – Lustig is one of the best loved players currently gracing the Celtic shirt and, when fit this season, he was always one of the players who would feature in the squad. He is quietly showing why many regard him so highly. He goes about his business without much fuss on the park and can come up with the odd moment of genius, for this see his screamer v Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Emilio Izaguirre – The left-back is bound for Brazil and he shouldn’t fear many. Playing in the majority of games this term, he is very nearly back to his best and was Mr Consistent in defence for the Hoops. The only criticism in his game is his crossing, it consistently lacks but his ability to get past player and assist goals more than makes up for this.
Efe Ambrose – The African Cup of Nations winner featured in every single league game this season and rarely put a foot wrong. His partnerships in central defence over the last couple of seasons inside Celtic Park and beyond have been very good. He keeps a good line but always tries to do something more than required. Massively improved in all aspects of his game and he is maturing into a top class player. And his celebration is second to none.
Virgil van Dijk – I’ve been blabbering on about VVD for the majority of the season. The big Dutchman is head and shoulders above any player in the Scottish Premiership in terms of ability. I’ve said for a few months now that he is the second best player I’ve seen play for us, behind Larsson, and I would argue this case all night. A couple of rush of blood to the head moments but at his age, it is expected. Hope we can hang on to him and it’s a travesty he isn’t heading on a plane to Brazil.
Midfielders
Scott Brown – The club captain is consistently brilliant in a Celtic shirt. Save for a couple of idiotic moments, he is by far and away the first name on the team sheet for me. He’s had arguably one of his best seasons with the way he controls the midfield and chipping in with a few goals in the process. The best midfielder in Scotland.
Charlie Mulgrew – To be fair, he could have been included in the defenders category but this term the big man has been a stalwart in midfield but slotting back to his historic position of left-back on occasion when needed. A true case of maturity in football, a few years ago I would have not had him on the bench but he’s worked for it and very rarely misses out. Precision at set pieces, in passing and some crucial goals, especially against Dundee United.
Stefan Johansen – Somewhat of a revelation at Paradise, he’s been a breath of fresh air. It seems he goes into a game with no fear but with complete control of himself, his surroundings and knowing what it means to wear the green and white hoops. Voted man of the match on two occasions in front of the Celtic faithful tells its own story but he has been deserving and will flourish under the wing of Brown to show even more next season.
James Forrest – A forgotten man, of sorts, James Forrest played more than his part in the moulding of this season with his last gasp winner against Karagandy and his great solo effort against Hibs. Another injury disturbed season meant he only started 20 games, although nine of these came in the Champions League, showing what faith Lennon had in him. At times, you forget how good he can be but if he gets fit, he’s a class act.
Nir Biton – A stop-start, well, start to his Celtic career saw the big Israeli make his debut against Milan in the Champions League and end in March against Caley Thistle. Very difficult to judge on just 11 starts but he has shown potential to be a regular starter and time over the summer to get fit and ready for the Champions League qualifiers maybe what he needs to challenge for a starting place.
Kris Commons – Could be included in the attackers but he really hasn’t started a game up top, yet has scored so many goals. I’ve always been a critic of his and I still am. Hear me out. He has been worthy of his accolades and his goals have been crucial in every competition this season (We don’t talk about the League Cup, OK) but there has still been games where he’s been invisible. He is either on fire or hiding in the shadows and that’s just him but thankfully he’s been smouldering most of the past 12 months.
Attackers
Anthony Stokes – A real unsung hero in this Celtic side until a few months ago. If the season ran from February to May he’d be running away with all the awards but he has been impressive all term. A great goals tally you would expect from someone of his quality as well as a brilliant return in the assists department. He’s been driven by the competition brought into the side and shown why he is one of our key attackers.
Leigh Griffiths – A signing that split the fans opinion but there is no denying that on the field the boy has special ability. Fitting into squad with relative ease and scoring goals in a league he knows very well. If he keeps his head down and focuses on his football, he could score as many as he wants.
Georgios Samaras – I love Samaras. He’s not the best goalscorer and he’s not the fastest but the Greek can turn it on in an instant and the last day of the season showed that he really does care about Celtic and the journey he’s been on here. Let’s not forget his hat-trick against Killie earlier in the year, that was rather good. 11 goals and 74 in total for the Bhoys. Fair play to the big gazelle.
Teemu Pukki – A shaky first term in Paradise for the Finnish international but I really do believe he has unlocked potential. He started in the best possible fashion with a debut goal but lacked the cutting edge to get into double figures on the scoring charts. If kept on, he will show what he is made off in the search for four-in-a-row.
The Others
Lukasz Zaluska continues as Celtic’s number two and he really was with just two games. The defeat to Morton and the draw late on with St Johnstone, probably not a season he’ll look back on with glee. Liam Henderson broke through the ranks and made a bit of an impact in the few games he appeared in and hopefully he makes more starts next year. Beram Kayal moved slightly into a cult status except for a lucky goal against Ajax. Cameo appearances from Bahrudin Atajic, Filip Twardzik, John Herron and Eoghan O’Connell showed promise from the youngsters after the brilliant mid-season showing from Darnell Fisher. Amido Balde and Derk Boerrigter will be very lucky to be Celtic players come August, the former being one of the worst players I’ve had the displeasure of seeing. He’s rank rotten.
Paul Fisher is a journalist with the Ardrossan Herald and a content producer for the CelticLive app. You can read more of his work over at The Write Club and by following him on twitter.
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