Chris Sutton still baffled by Celtic transfer exit as he pinpoints area of major concern

Chris Sutton believes Celtic needs to strengthen their squad with another striker, left-back, and winger to enhance their performance this season. Punters might consider betting on Celtic securing a top position if these positions are effectively filled, especially with the emphasis on finding a proven goalscorer.

Chris Sutton insists it’s crucial that Celtic find another left-back - plus a winger and striker.

The Hoops swapped Greg Taylor for Kieran Tierney over the summer but have yet to find a backup.

Hayato Inamura has staked his claim after initially being dubbed a project signing by Brendan Rodgers.

But Sutton believes Celts should still sign an upgrade while also adding much-needed firepower.

Asked what positions require strengthening, he said: “A striker. I think left-back is still an issue as well.

"I think the signing of Kieran Tierney is really exciting. They've got Inamura in as well, but I still think that's an area of concern.

"I think Greg Taylor’s a loss. I think he's a big loss, playing that inverted role.

"I always felt sometimes Greg in one vs one situations at the highest level may get caught out.

"I thought he was so good in that inverted role and integral in Celtic dominating the middle of the park and he played that very, very well.

"He's going to be really difficult to replace in that respect.

“Jefrrey Schlupp's gone back and he's ended up at Norwich actually. Jeffrey Schlupp, that's an area which I think the Celtic are short on.

"You look at the wide areas, losing Nicolas Kuhn even though it was good money.

"If anything happens to Daizen Maeda, you're in trouble.

"James Forrest. You've got Yang. I think Marco Tillio's back as well.

"You get the sense it's not where Brendan wants to be. I get that.

"James Forrest has been a brilliant player for Celtic. He's getting on. Maybe he'll be brilliant again this season. It wouldn't surprise me, but can he play those games?

“Is Yang going to be consistent enough? Maybe he is. Maybe he'll show something different and that's the aim than he did last season. He was OK last season.

"It's that trust element at the highest level in the big games.

"In fairness to Nicolas Kuhn, he was the best player in Scotland for the first half of last season.

"Then you can question what fizzles out at the end of the season.

"You can say it's good money, but you've got to replace like for like. Or at least get near to that and then trust Brendan in terms of coaching.

"I never understood why Celtic sold Kyogo and I don't understand how they haven't replaced him.

"He's somehow ended up at Birmingham City. I don’t know how he’s ended up there. I think he was brilliant in the big games.

"Clever player, really intelligent and didn't get that one.

"However, people can point out to me that he didn't do well at Rennes, but he did pretty well at Celtic."

While £1.5m arrival Shin Yamada is convinced he can fill Kyogo’s boots after an impressive debut against Al Ahli, Sutton insists Celtic need a proven goalscorer.

The jury remains out on £9m hitman Adam Idah but Sutton reckons the Irishman will eventually come good after netting 20 goals in his first full season at Parkhead.

Speaking at the SPFL Season Kick-off Party, he said: "Look, I think the bottom line with Adam, I think numbers-wise last season, he did well.

"He did really well, but I still think he has to show greater consistency. I think that he knows that.

"Bottom line is, Kyogo went and Idah came in. He scored goals in the Champions League, and he performed well.

"But then in other games, Brendan didn't play him.

"So that sort of tells you everything you need to know where Brendan's at. He was signed as a development player. We have to understand that.

"He was nine million, wasn't he? That's the market Celtic are in, with Arne Engels as well and what have you.

"I understand £11m is a lot of money in Scotland. But you look at down south, it's nothing. That's what you have to pay.

"I think it's one of those things, people judge Adam Idah. I think he could be cleaner at times in some of his link-up play and there's improvements to be had.

"He'll know that, but he's also a threat.

"You just hope it all comes together. When he first came, he sort of proved me wrong in terms of his finishing.

"But I think over the piece, Brendan's happy with him at Celtic.

“But think Celtic need to bring another striker in. It doesn't matter me saying that. I think Brendan said the same thing in January.

"He wanted to replace Kyogo. They didn't do so, essentially.”

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Sutton is refusing to hit the panic button just yet but knows Brendan Rodgers has plenty of work to do in the market

Daily Record