Former Celtic striker John Hartson has fired a warning to the club’s new summer signings, admitting that they aren’t guaranteed a place in the team immediately.
The Welshman believes the new bhoys will have to work their way into the starting eleven because, at the minute, Brendan Rodgers’ men are fully fit and firing.
Today’s Glasgow derby will be the biggest test yet, but the Celts have started the season impeccably, winning all four of their opening competitive fixtures so far.
The new acquisitions will only bolster Rodgers’ squad options and as the fixture schedule ramps up, they will undoubtedly come into the fray.
For now, though, Hartson believes they have to earn their opportunities, and that the money Celtic spent in the summer will count for nothing if the new signings don’t improve the team.
“First and foremost, the new signings need to show they can get in this very good Celtic team and stay there”, he said on X.
“Spending big money counts for nothing if you can’t push the current players out the team.
“They will get opportunities but no guarantees…that’s the crux of it.”
None of the Hoops’ deadline-day acquisitions will likely make the starting eleven today, but there could well be some baptisms of fire off the bench in the Glasgow derby.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 12.30pm, and the match is live on Sky Sports.
