While Celtic are on course to win yet another Scottish Premiership title, the question that could be asked is just how good could their side have been?The Hoops’ squad has always been blessed with a number of top class players in years gone by, such as Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama, who have gone on to enjoy success elsewhere.Ahead of their Old Firm clash with Rangers this Sunday, talkSPORT.com takes a look at how Celtic could have looked if they kept their star names.
Fraser Forster (Goalkeeper)
Before sealing a 10m move to Southampton in 2014, Forster made 197 appearances for Celtic, who came of age as a goalkeeper during his time in Scotland.
12Mikael Lustig(Defender)
Like former right-back and fellow countryman Johan Mjallby, Lustig has done the position justice and while he has not left the club, it would make for interesting viewing to see him perform in this side, especially with the calibre of talent next to him.
12Virgil van Dijk (Defender)
Widely considered the best defender in the world at present, Van Dijk has been a colossus at the back for both Liverpool and the Netherlands. He spent two seasons with Celtic and his powerful, commanding displays caught the eye of Southampton, who he joined for 13m in 2015 before landing a 75m move to Anfield in 2018.
12Kieran Tierney (Defender)
Had Celtic been able to see into the future, it is unlikely they would have released Scotland captain Andrew Robertson at the age 15. However, the club another talented left-back in Tierney, who has played a major role in Celtic’s historical ‘double treble’ in 2018 and won both the Players and Writers’ Young Player awards for the third successive season.
12Stuart Armstorng (Midfield)
The Inverness-born midfielder, who grew up idolising Gianfranco Zola, spent four years with the Hoops and won the league title in every single one of them.He was also named in the team of the year three times, before moving to, you guessed it… Southampton. The Premier League club paid around 7m for the Scotland international in 2018.
12Victor Wanyama (Midfield)
A third player sold to Southampton, the imposing Kenyan starred at the heart of Celtic’s midfield for two seasons, despite making his debut in defence. His first goal for the club was a 25-yard strike against Hearts, while he memorably netted a header in a 2-1 win over Barcelona. The 27-year-old joined the Saints in 2013 and moved to Tottenham for 11m three years later where he is still playing.
12Ki Sung-Yueng (Midfield)
The South Korean star showed himself to be a skilful player, with excellent technique and composure. A memorable 35-yard wonder strike in the Scottish Cup final against Motherwell, helped him win his first piece of silverware with the side. He eventually moved on to Swansea in 2012.
12Joe Ledley (Midfield)
Alongside Wanyama in the heart of a powerful midfield, the Welshman certainly made Celtic a formidable force, especially on an away night in the Europa League. Ledley captained Celtic on several occasions in the absence of Scott Brown before Crystal Palace secured his services in 2014.
12Aiden McGeady (Midfield)
The former Ireland international enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Celtic and was one of their most exciting players to emerge from the academy in recent years. Many say he was at his peak before he moved to Spartak Moscow in 2010. Three seasons earlier, McGeady contributed eight goals and 24 assists, to win both the SPFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards. The 32-year-old is currently playing for Sunderland.
12Moussa Dembele (Striker)
His spell with Celtic was brief, but it sure was exciting. After moving from Fulham in 2016, Dembele ended his debut season with the treble and 32 goals in all competitions. Chelsea were rumoured to be interested, but he remained at the club, despite failing to recapture his initial form. Two seasons later, the striker joined Lyon.
12Gary Hooper (Striker)
‘Super Hooper’ as he was affectionately known, certainly knew where the goal was in three seasons in Glasgow between 2010 and 2013. He scored 82 goals in 138 appearances in all competitions, before moving to Norwich, where he struggled, but the 31-year-old striker has returned to scoring form with Sheffield Wednesday.
12
12
Tottenham have issued an update on the fitness of Jan Vertonghen after he suffered a frightening head injury against Ajax in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Tottenham await Vertonghen update before decision on whether
CHAMPAGNE ON ICE Les Parisiens will have to wait before they can be crowned kings of France again Paris St Germain must wait to secure the Ligue 1 title after a humbling 5-1 defeat at Lille on Sunday.
News list for champions in waiting stunned by five-star losc
Liverpool player ratings vs Arsenal: Firmino back to his best, Mane and Wijnaldum superb LIVERPOOL extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant victory over Arsenal at
Match Thread: Liverpool vs Arsenal [English Premier League
Aston Villa vs Birmingham City TV channel and live stream today. The Second City derby is one of the fiercest fixtures in English football - and the two collide on Sunday lunchtime
Birmingham City vs Aston Villa TV details, live stream info
Sadio Mane EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool players feel they are destined to win Champions League title this season by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 30 May Liverpool feel they are destined to win the Champions League this season, Sadio Mane has exclusively told talkSPORT.
Sadio Mane EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool players feel they are
A nudge. A push. This can't be a coincidence. Days after a sly dig at Maurizio Sarri, the Chelsea mana and the same went for Nikola Maksimovic Stay in touch with Tribal news, updates and
Chelsea switch targets to Olivier Giroud as Pierre-Emerick
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths is set to return to first-team action during the club's upcoming pre-season after taking time out of the game due to personal issues. The 28-year-old has not
Celtic quick news: Leigh Griffiths to return for Celtic
Cristiano Ronaldo was ecstatic after his Champions League hat-trick against Atletico Madrid, insisting "this was why Juventus brought me here". Atletico were heavy favourites to progress to
Juventus 3-0 Atletico Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo ecstatic
Real Madrid have denied that Sergio Ramos failed a drug test after the 2017 Champions League final. A report in German publication Der Spiegel - released as part of their Football Leaks series
Paris St Germain's Champions League exit has left the club perplexed and searching for answers but there will be no knee-jerk reaction to fire
LeBron James overtakes Michael Jordan on the all-time NBA
gistjunction.com/2019/03/07/lebron-james-overtakes-michael-jordan-on-the-all-time-nba-points-list-jordan-responds/
LeBron James and Michael Jordan during LeBron's time with Miami As a three-time NBA champion and a man that has made eight straight trips to the NBA finals - a run that looks to end this season - James has been doing extraordinary things his entire career.
'We want authentic': how NBC's British commentators won the
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has opened the door for Eden Hazard to move to Real Madrid this summer, admitting a transfer is possible. The Belgium international is widely tipped to move to the Spanish capital this summer to link up with childhood hero Zinedine Zidane, who returned to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this season.
Bayern munich vs liverpool 1-3 Highlights 13th March 2019 HD; Andy Robertson: talkSPORT's Adrian Durham calls on Liverpool to fine defender for 'idiotic' yellow card against Bayern Munich; Liverpool v Bayern Munich 3-1 | Cinematic Highlights; BEZZIES with Mane and Keita | Sadio's hair cut makes me late; How good is Sadio Mané ?
Man city vs Liverpool 2-1 Post Match Analysis 03/01/2019 HD
No comments:
Post a Comment