Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez - The forgotten men


Celtic signed Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez from Indianna Hoosier and NC State respectively on deadline day of the 2019 January transfer window. Both were then loaned out to Charlotte Ind. and North Carolina in the States. Both Americans, Gutman and Perez have never made a single appearance for Celtic and Andrew Gutman never will, making a permanent move to Atlanta United where he has been loaned out to New York Red Bulls ahead of the 2021 MLS season. Manny Perez, however,  has been with the Bhoys since November last year after a loan in America but complications over a work permit have made him unable to play. 


What positions do they play?

Now, you’re probably wondering would Gutman have been useful for Celtic, well the answer is a resounding yes. Despite playing for a relegation battling FC Cincinnati, Gutman earned plaudits for his work ethic and ability at left back, which soon made him a fans favourite. Over the course of the 2020 MLS season, the American made 18 appearances for FC Cincy, who ended up finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference in the US. Playing for a team that only scored 12 goals in 23 games last season, it was hard for the 24 year old to manifest the attacking side of his game, in spite of that, he did manage to make one key pass and create a chance every other game. As for defending, Gutman managed to make 0.9 successful tackles per match, 0.7 interceptions per 90 and 1.4 clearances every game. Gutman only came back from his homeland at the end of 2020 but with Diego Laxalt and Greg Taylor both being mediocre to say the least, throwing Gutman in would’ve been worth a shot if laws allowed. As for Manny Perez, he is a winger who can operate on either flank but primarily on the right. Both his loan spells away from Celtic came at North Carolina in the USL Championship, America’s second tier. In his 2 years there, Perez managed to bag himself 1 goal and 5 assists in 34 games. His pass accuracy in the same time frame was 82%. The 22 year old made 0.8 key passes per 90 while he was in the States, Perez excels in dribbling and he certainly proved this in 2019 making 2 successful dribbles per match. If Manny Perez’s work permit issues can be finally solved, playing him in a few friendlies or dead rubber games at the end of this season may be worthwhile to see if the long term successor to James Forrest is already at Celtic. 


Final Verdict

Signing Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez was a gamble for Celtic and one that has undeniably not payed off. I guess we will never know how well the pair would’ve done at the club. For every Jeremie Frimpong you get a Derk Boerrigter. The transfer strategy at Parkhead, especially under Peter Lawell’s tenure, is risk and reward. If the chance you take on a young, unknown player pays off, you are knee-deep in profits; Moussa Dembele is a prime example of this. It is unclear if this policy will remain in place when Dominic McKay comes in. In spite of Celtic’s problems on and off the park this season, the summer will be an invigorating time to be a Hoops fan. 

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