The biggest story surrounding Celtic in the summer transfer window was the departure of star Portuguese winger Jota.
Most fans appreciate that it would be difficult, nigh on impossible, to directly replace the 24-year-old when his contribution over two seasons is considered.
With Celtic not being in the same financial bracket as the side we sold to Jota to, the club brought in three different wingers following the departure of the Portuguese matchwinner. The big question is, can any of them develop into an effective replacement for Jota?
With us now around a quarter of the way through the season, there has been plenty of opportunities for supporters to assess the new signings and here is A Celtic State of Mind’s take on which of the new signings seems most likely to step into Jota’s sizeable boots.
Yang Hyun-Jun
Age: 21 // Previous club: Gangwon (K League 1, South Korea) // 10 Celtic apps (347 mins) // 0 goals // 1 assist
The South Korean winger has been handed some decent opportunities to make an impression, but reviews of his performances have been mixed.
When it comes to providing the trickery, flair and energy that Jota brought to the wide areas then Yang could be the most likely replacement, however, it is evidently clear that he is still a raw player with plenty of improvements to come in his game.
His strongest performances in a Celtic shirt have come in his appearances from the bench, running at tired legs when Celtic have been needing a player to provide that spark. His best performance would have been his cameo against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, coming on from the bench to assist Matt O’Riley’s goal and Celtic’s third of the day as well as causing all sorts of problems for the Dons backline.
It does seem, however, when Yang starts a game his impact is reduced compared to his appearances from the bench. He struggled to make a real impact in the biggest test of his Celtic career so far against Lazio, but with the high class of coaches the club currently has, Yang can be developed into an impressive player in the future.
Marco Tilio
Age: 22 // Previous club: Melbourne City (A-League, Australia) // 0 Celtic apps
Of the three wingers signed this summer, Tilio hasn’t been seen in a Celtic shirt yet having been signed with an injury, something that the club were aware of.
The Australian international is held in high regard in his homeland, having been capped 7 times for the Socceroos, and fans are eager to see him make an impact on the first team this season.
Luis Palma
Age: 23 // Previous club: Aris Thessaloniki (Super League 1, Greece) // 5 Celtic apps (203 mins) // 2 goals // 0 assists
The Honduran has been the most impressive of the new wingers signed so far, and in recent weeks he has really been catching the eye of supporters. For what he lacks in pace and sheer running power he makes up for with in-game intelligence and finishing ability.
With Liel Abada, one of the strongest finishers in the Celtic attack, currently out injured, Palma seems most likely to replace the Israeli’s goals from the wide areas.
Whilst having his goal against Lazio disallowed by VAR, the positive impression he had made in that Champions League encounter was clear to see, and he followed up that impressive cameo with a great performance at home to Kilmarnock in the league.
Palma seems to be hitting his stride in the early stages, and affording more starting opportunities to the 23-year-old will only see him develop his game even further.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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