who was who in 2006

Manager As a first season in charge it had its ups - League won by Easter and triumph in the CIS Cup - and its downs; Bratislava was a shocker as was defeat to Clyde in the Scottish Cup. Strachan's first season was always going to be difficult. Change was needed after the debacle of losing the league at Motherwell on Black Sunday. Whatever else WGS lacks he doesn't lack courage. He was big enough to take over from MON, a man who had been Celtic's best manager in years and one who was a favourite with the fans. Whether through financial constraints or nor WGS was not afraid to give youth its chance - witness the development of McManus and Maloney. Would MON have given them this same opportunity?

He also dabbled in the transfer market, again with mixed results. Amazingly he managed a first for a Celtic manager by bringing players in on the Bosman Ruling. Of his signings, Boruc, Nakamura, Wilson and Zurawski all impressed. Telfer probably scrapes a pass mark. Keane and Dublin haven't played enough games to pass judgement but both have done more good than bad so can be viewed as qualified successes. Camara... well no manager ever has a 100% success rate in the transfer market, though if rumours are true then the bold Mo was lined up by MON and his management team. If true then that can be used by WGS in mitigation.

Overall I think Strachan's report card would say the Bhoy done well. It doesn't get any easier though next season. If all those predicted to leave do so then A) it'll need to be a heck of a big taxi and B) he will need to be active in the transfer market this summer to replace them and all of his signings will need to be successful.

This season was one of transition. Next season might be more of the same.

Goalkeepers

Artur Boruc Once given his chance he performed well but had some scary Hedman-like moments toward the end of the season. All things considered an impressive first campaign from the big Pole. Sadly, if the defence is not improved by the start of next season he could be busier than we would want him to be. Hopefully he won't get injured at the World Cup and will be here for several more seasons.

David Marshall How quickly the football fates change. Last season he was the new King on the block. Man of the Match performances in Barcelona and Ibrox. This season after being part of a defence that leaked 9 goals in the first 2 games he has somewhat disappeared from view. He is too promising to let go so if Boruc is here as number one choice at the start of next season perhaps it would be in everyone's interests if Marshall went out on loan. If not the goalie for today he is certainly still one for the future.

Defenders

Paul Telfer Danny McGrain he isn't. Competent but little more. At times his distribution is woeful. Doesn't hide and always gives his best but is his best good enough? Short term solution when WGS was left without a right back last summer. Barring injuries can't envisage him being more than a squad player next season.

Bobo Balde An enigma wrapped in a puzzle bound up in a mystery. The more time he has to think the more mistakes he seems to make. His concentration is not all it could be. Having said that, he was badly missed when he left to play in the African Championships. If he is still here next season I'd imagine it will be more of the same. With Bobo, what you see is what you get. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Stephen McManus Most improved player at Celtic this season. Must be thankful that WGS replaced MON as otherwise it is highly unlikely he would have been given his opportunity in the first team. Still prone to the occasional 'agricultural' tackle, something which, hopefully, good coaching will remove from his game. Also chipped in with many valuable goals this season. Sometimes a player's second season in the top team can be more difficult than his first. Let's hope he is up to the challenge next season, continues to improve and continues his happy habit of scoring occasional, important goals.

Mark Wilson On the evidence so far, even though he is being played out of position at left back, looks like an excellent acquisition. Would like to see him get some games in his natural right back position before the end of the season. Barring any new signings or injury you'd have to expect that he will be first choice right back next season.

Mo Camara We've needed a left back for about 6 years. Following Mo's arrival we still need a left back. What is it with left backs that Celtic can't/won't buy a natural one? Hopefully WGS manages to buy somebody who can play in this position during the summer. Come the transfer window I can hear the call, 'Taxi for Camara.' Seems inevitable he will be one of the Dearly Departed by the start of next season.

Stan Varga Never good enough to be a first choice Celtic centre half. His contract is up this Summer and you'd have to imagine big Stan's taxi will be in the rank just behind Mo's.

Ross Wallace Not got the physique to play left back. Too inconsistent when played further forward. Next season is a biggie for young Wallace. Not yet good enough to hold down a first team place. Can he make the breakthrough next season? I wouldn't have thought so but time, as always, will be the ultimate judge.

MIDFIELD

Stilian Petrov He came, he gave seven excellent Seasons and at the time of writing it looks certain he will have moved elsewhere by the start of next season. Been a fantastic player for Celtic - why can't we make more signings like this? Not his best season but still one of our most reliable performers. Will be missed. Stan, thanks for the memories and best Of luck at your new Club.

Roy Keane Will he stay or will he go? Hopefully he will stay for one more season. Still see glimpses of the talent that made him one of Europe's best midfield players. Oh, how I wish we had watched him in a Hooped shirt when he was at his peak.

Neil Lennon Last season we wondered if he would stay for another year. This season, the same question is being asked. For my money I thought he was Celtic's player of the year. One blip at Ibrox excepted he led by example all season. Played as well this season as he ever did under MON. Can his legs take him through another campaign? Like Roy Keane, if nothing else it would be good if he stayed just to have his experience to call on when needed and for his (winning) presence to rub off on the younger players on the training ground .

Shunsuke Nakamura Another with question marks over whether he will be here next season. I feel that he drifts out of games too easily and does most of his best work at and around the halfway line. To me he flatters to deceive. Difficult for him to acclimatise to the physical nature of Scottish football but I suppose he has performed reasonably well. Along with Maloney and McGeady he wants to be the conductor orchestrating play. Perhaps a case of Celtic having too many wannabee chiefs and not enough Indians?

Shaun Maloney Excellent season from young Master Maloney even though I don't think he views playing wide left (or wide right) as his best position. Still lacks the physique to play more centrally. Could do with improving his finishing but a very entertaining and creative player who seems to want to learn. Let us hope he gets signed up on a new long term contract some time soon.

Aiden McGeady Season disrupted by injury. Another like Maloney and Nakamura who would probably prefer to play a more central role but, again, like them, his physique currently means he is forced to play wide. Got exceptional skill and talent. Hopefully he will be here entertaining us for many years to come.

Alan Thompson Been an excellent player for Celtic but another who could be off shortly. As the season progressed he started fewer and fewer games. Perhaps indicative that WGS is looking to the future and that Alan's time at Celtic has come to an end.

Stephen Pearson Strong, fast and score goals. I'm puzzled, why he doesn't start more games? He got us back into the game at Tynecastle on Jan 1st. Perhaps a player whose stock among the support has risen simply because he has featured so rarely. Offers a drive and an urgency that many of the other midfielders seem to lack. Surely he will get more of an opportunity next season?

Forwards

John Hartson Still capable of scoring but seems to be getting even slower as the years pass. Another who may move on this Summer. WGS has talked about making Celtic faster, fitter and stronger. Hard to see where Big John would fit into that scenario. Another who has been an excellent player for Celtic and will be fondly remembered by the support but perhaps the time is now right for a parting of the ways.

Magic Zurawski A very promising first season from the Polish Internationalist. If he hadn't missed a large chunk of the season through injury would, in all likelihood, ended up as top scorer. Would hope for more of the same next season.

Craig Beattie Memo to Craig, please get these hamstrings of yours sorted pronto. A missed season for young Beattie. Has shown he can score goals. Now has to get fit enough to prove he can score week in week out. Has the talent if he can overcome injury problems.