Returning for Adam Matthews is a sign of stagnation Celtic cannot allow

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Celtic are said to be considering turning to an old face in their bid to replace Mikael Lustig this summer. As reported by The Scotsman, Celtic are considering the free transfer option of Welsh international Adam Matthews. 

The right-back is available for nothing after leaving Sunderland at the end of his contract this summer. The Black Cats need to cut their wage-bill this summer and Matthews was therefore not kept on.

Matthews, of course, joined Sunderland from Celtic in 2015. Then a Premier League side, Sunderland spent a reported (BBC) £2 million to sign Matthews from Celtic, where he had just one year remaining on his contract. 

It was a deal then Celtic manager Ronny Deila was happy to make, as he told the BBC.

 “One year left on his contract, a good offer, and he wanted to try something else.

“It was the right time to do it.”

On the one hand, it does make sense. Celtic need a right-back and Neil Lennon knows Matthews from his previous stint in charge of the Bhoys. 

However, it also shows a distinct lack of ambition and progress from the club. 

Celtic fans have wanted the club to kick on during their period of dominance in Scotland. In Europe, particularly, performances have not been at the level fans expect in recent years. 

Matthews is hardly an improvement on Lustig and Celtic should be aiming for talented younger players to take the club forward. 

Looking back to the past could be a costly error, with Rangers now starting to close the gap.