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
PROFILE The 24-year-old is in demand and has a number of clubs trying to sign him Manchester United will get the chance to see summer target and Portugal ace… PROFILE The 24-year-old is in demand and has a number of clubs trying to sign him Manchester United will get the chance to see summer target and Portugal ace Bruno Fernandes in action
Profile of the Sporting Lisbon midfielder and Man United
fussboll.com/2019/06/05/profile-of-the-sporting-lisbon-midfielder-and-man-united-target-ahead-of-nations-league-ties/
Manchester United will get the chance to see summer target and Portugal ace Bruno Fernandes in action this week. The talented 24-year-old midfielder is attracting the eye of United and several other Premier League sides with rumours he could be heading to England this summer in a deal worth over £60m.
Man Utd target Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes
Benitez Rafa has been interviewed again by his friend Guillem Balague, this time for the BBC's Football Daily podcast.. Rafa has talked about some of the big games in his successful football career, and at Newcastle, he picked out the final game of our relegation season three years ago at home to Spurs.
Newcastle Takeover: Picking a Completely Realistic Magpies
Liverpool FC forward Sadio Mane reacts to banner urging Kalidou Koulibaly to join Manchester United. Man Utd continue to be linked with a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer
Liverpool star Sadio Mane sends message to fans over Real
Liverpool news: Sadio Mane to Real Madrid 'problem' revealed by Guillem Balague LIVERPOOL star Sadio Mane will not join Real Madrid this summer, transfer expert Guillem Balague claims.
Liverpool news and transfers RECAP - Sadio Mane Real Madrid
Sean Cox congratulates Liverpool on Champions League win after emotional day at home. The father-of-three joined his friends and family at his Dunboyne home in an emotional rendition of 'You
'Overjoyed' Seán Cox takes break from treatment to watch
Tony Cascarino tells England defender John Stones: You're not Bobby Moore, so don't try to play like him 2 hours ago Women's World Cup 2019: England can beat any team in the world, claims Sue Smith
Matt Parker on the not-so-serious side of mathematics
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are back on our screens on Monday Night Football. GETTY. Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri have both taken over at their respective clubs. GETTY. They took over after Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte left Related Articles
(Reuters) - Following is a factbox on Dutchman Louis van Gaal who left his job as Manchester United manager on Monday. Born: Aug. 8, 1951 in Amsterdam
The Managers: Louis van Gaal | Premier League at 25
Breaking news headlines about Leeds United Transfer News linking to 1,000s of websites from around the world for striker: Opinion Football transfer gossip
Latest Football Transfer News & Transfer Rumours
Mesut Ozil has taken a swipe at Jesse Lingard following Arsenal's Premier League victory over Manchester United on Sunday. The Gunners leapfrogged United into fourth place with their 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Granit Xhaka and Pierre..
Mesut Ozil trolls Jesse Lingard after inspiring Arsenal to
The Armenia captain skipped the Gunners' earlier fixture in the competition against Qarabag in Baku because of the issue, which has flared once again with the Azerbaijani capital city set to host the final. Henrikh Mkhitaryan could miss out on the Europa League final Hostility remains between the neighbouring countries over the disputed Nagorno
Arsenal plan to leave Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of Europa League
0 Comments