Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert has issued a stark assessment of his old club's current squad, stating they are "nowhere near good enough" to secure another Scottish Premiership title without further recruitment. While stressing the importance of strengthening the team, Lambert also urged against a knee-jerk reaction, advising against "panic stations" despite the perceived shortcomings.
So far this summer, striker Camilo Duran represents the sole new arrival for the Scottish champions. Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has extended his stay, signing a new contract after a short-term deal last season. However, the club has seen departures, with German centre-half Maik Nawrocki sold to Lens. Additionally, players previously linked with a return, such as forward Kelechi Iheanacho and former left-back loanee Marcelo Saracchi, will not be rejoining the Glasgow side, with Iheanacho moving to Bursaspor and Saracchi having bid farewell to fans.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, Lambert, who captained Celtic during Martin O'Neill's initial tenure, reiterated his concerns. "The squad's not strong enough," he stated, adding, "I've seen Celtic, they're nowhere near good enough at this moment in time, nowhere near it. Everybody recognises it." He suggested that while the team would compete, they lacked the strength to win the league again, pointing to existing issues from the previous season that have yet to be addressed.
Lambert also touched upon the financial aspect of recruitment, estimating that Celtic would need to spend approximately "£8-10m" on the infrastructure for player acquisition alone. This comes after chief executive Michael Nicholson recently acknowledged the challenges Celtic faces, competing with clubs in the English Premier League and Championship for talent, alongside navigating complex dealings with agents.
Emphasising Celtic's status as a "winning club" rather than a "development club," Lambert stressed the necessity of acquiring "ready-made players" who can immediately contribute to title challenges and European competitions, particularly the Champions League. He warned against signing young, unproven players who might struggle with the demands of such a large and high-pressure club, concluding that significant investment is crucial for improvement, as "if you don't spend, you stand still."