The departure of Victor Wanyama will undoubtedly be a big blow for Celtic but his replacement may already be at the club.
Three years after joining from Maccabi Haifa Beram Kayal has still to fully prove himself in a Celtic jersey but supporters have seen enough to believe that the Israeli internationalist can fill the gap created by Wanyama’s move.
Kayal has put in some impressive stints in a Celtic jersey but injury and the emergence of Wanyama have hampered his progress.
In the first weeks of Neil Lennon’s reign it looked life Efrain Juarez would be an obstacle to Kayal’s progress but by the end of the 2010/11 season the Israeli had cemented his place in the side with Juarez heading out the door.
Whenever Lennon sits down to review his Celtic days the 2-0 win at Ibrox in December 2010 will surely go down as a watershed moment.
Leading upto the match the debut of Freddi Ljungberg seemed to provide Celtic with their only hope of achieving a result but a recast side featuring Thomas Rogne and Daniel Majstorovic in defence with a midfield including Kayal, Paddy McCourt and Charlie Mulgrew fashioned an unlikely win thanks to two goals from Georgios Samaras.
Kayal was in his pomp bossing the Rangers midfield making 40-60 challenges his own as Lee McCulloch and Steve Davis chased shadows.
The promise of that performance has never been repeated on a consistent basis with injuries partly to blame.
Centre midfield has been the most competitive area of the Celtic side over the last two seasons with Kayal making just 19 starting appearances last season in the SPL.
After a proper summer break, while many of his team-mates have been away on international duty, Kayal has been in pre-season training since day one in preparation for the new campaign.
The feedback has been impressive with hopes high among the coaching staff that the 25-year-old is about to deliver on the potential that he’s hinted at since an impressive home debut against Utrecht.
While a £10m plus fee for Wanyama is very welcome there isn’t the same urgency to use the money as there was when Aiden McGeady was sold to Spartak Moscow.
That deal largely funded the current Celtic squad and last season’s Champions League campaign.
Kayal looked on from the substitute’s bench last season as Wanyama made his name known in the Champions League- the next few weeks could see the popular midfielder re-establish his place at the centre of Celtic’s plans- domestically and in Europe.
IS IT KAYAL TIME? add your comments below
Yes I agree,We should be well covered by in house players. Tom Boyd also made a good point, suggesting that Effe Ambrose could do a job for us, as a holding mid fielder.Roll on the start of the season, I’m getting bad withdraw symptoms. HH Keep The Faith
The club should have cashed in on Kayal after his 1st season when his stock was high around £6-8 million quid (Epl interest).
Now nobody seems to be interested anymore, can’t be doing his massive inflated Ego any good. Can no one remember his petulant foot stomping running of shouting his mouth and hiring his new ‘Super Agent’ and in Kayals own words to get him what he deserves a pay rise to equal his talent that will put him up their with the top earners at the club. What from £8k to £25k a week. Hmm?
If I was Lenny the 1st offer that came in near £2 million I’d take it and move him on. We need a Lubo type player in their instead, playmaker. All Kayal is going to be is back up for when Broony needs a rest. Im hoping Kayal & Ambrose are punted this window, bring a playmaker in as replacement then go raid the currants and bring Lee Wallace in to replace Izzy. HH
Sorry give Izzy competition not replace. See if he can capture that POTY form like we saw in his 1st season. HH
Good read this! Totally agree Kayal for me if he gets back to playing the way he did in his first season at the club will be able to fill Victors boots.
Effe should go he cost us ten goals with his mistakes and kayak should go too Charlie can play in there and score too we have enough money in the pot to buy ah quality player so lets buy one kayal would have to be keen to sit on the bench or pull his finger out and show what he is made of
Has everyone forgot about Rogic? I feel if there is going to be a replacement, then this guy is the one. If he was special like Wanyama is, then I’m sure Kayal would have had a greater impact by now. I think that Kayal is going to be one of these guys that you know what you’re gonna get from him, but he’s never going to elevate to greatness. Rogic is where it’s at (or where I’m pinning my hopes anyways!)
Kayal SHOULD have been punted before now….I’d still sell at the first decent offer, been posted missing since he got his improved deal. Found badly wanting in Europe unlike Wanyama…if he is the answer we are in major trouble. How often have we seen him struggle with moderate SPL opposition.
If anything the Dutch lad might be a better option or give Fisher another 6 months – 1 year..but no way will Kayal cut it at CL level for us.