Deila wants more leaders on the pitch
The Hoops missed out on a lucrative place in the group stage of Europe’s most glamorous club competition when crashing to defeat in Malmo on Tuesday.
And while Friday’s Europa League draw that placed them alongside Ajax, Fenerbache and Molde has at least guaranteed a couple of big nights to come, manager Ronny Deila isn’t hiding from the need for a rethink if future disappointments are to be avoided.
“It’s a policy within the club we want to bring in players we can develop and be worth more afterwards.
“But we have to find a balance between experience and youth as you will have a lot of lambs with one shepherd.
“If you bring kids into the world, you also need parents and that’s the same on the pitch. Getting that balance is always important.
“We have to build leaders into the group.
“We need more experience and players who take responsibility.”
It is a combination which tends to come with a high transfer fee attached, something the Hoops board are only prepared to countenance if there is likelihood of the player later being sold for a profit.
And even when free agents can be found, wages can be a problem.
The Norwegian admitted an example was the failed move to bring in former Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, who would have fitted the profile, last year.
“It’s a very big challenge recruiting leaders,” he said.
“We were talking to every player who has a connection to Celtic, with that type of experience.
“But there are players, Darren Fletcher is one, who went to West Brom on three times the salary he could get at Celtic.
“People say to me Mark Rosenberg is the type we should have gone for.
“The reason he is with Malmo though is because from Malmo.
“So for us it is about players from Celtic getting back and wanting to play for Celtic.”
Preferably, players who are quick learners.
“Dedryck Boyata was a great buy in my opinion, but he needs time,” said Deila of his struggling new recruit.
“I said to him, ‘now you are feeling in your body how it is to be important in a team. Now you have to be happy in five years watching people having responsibility. Now you have to learn, you have to grow’.”