Since leaving Celtic in the summer three defenders have literally still to kick a ball in anger in their post hoops careers.
For the first half of last season Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic were the first pick central defenders, on the left they had Kieran Tierney haring down the wing with Mikael Lustig less energetic on the right.
Apart from Tierney the departures of the other three was anticipated but as the second phase of domestic football is about to get underway three of those players are still waiting to begin their new phase.
Boyata’s last Celtic appearance was in the March Glasgow derby where he suffered a torn hamstring. The Belgian signed for Hertha Berlin on a Bosman deal but after three Bundesliga matches he has still to feature with his side sitting second bottom in the Bundesliga with one point.
Benkovic recovered from injury to take a place on the bench for the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts in his farewell performance. After making one appearance at the u-21 European Championships in June he is still waiting to make a top team appearance for Leicester. Despite the sale of Harry Maguire, Benkovic has been restricted to two games in the EPL u-23 league.
After his record breaking £25m transfer Tierney appears to be a month away from making his Arsenal debut with his new club ensuring that groin and pelvic problems are fully cleared up before making an appearance.
Lustig had his injury issues at Celtic but so far has played in all nine competitive matches for KAA Gent, helping his new club into the group phase of the Europa League.
In their places Celtic have brought in Moritz Bauer, Hatem Abd Elhamed, Christopher Jullien, Boli Bolingoli and Greg Taylor. All five appear to be fit and ready for Hamilton on Saturday as the new look defence look to extend the 100% SPFL record that has taken Neil Lennon’s side three points clear at the top of the Premiership.
