Celtic now know exactly what stands between them and a place in the Champions League group stage.
Martin O’Neill’s side will face Austrian champions LASK Linz in the play-off round, with the first leg taking place at Celtic Park on Wednesday, August 19, kicking off at 8pm. The return leg follows on Tuesday, August 25, also with an 8pm start.
The Hoops have until 10.59pm on Thursday, August 13, to submit their main 25-man squad for the play-off. UEFA rules do allow clubs to register up to two additional eligible players by 10.59pm on August 18, the day before the first leg, but the bulk of the squad must be finalised well before then.
That leaves Celtic with just two weeks to shape a squad capable of getting through a tie worth around £40 million.
It also underlines why any significant transfer business cannot be left until deadline day on September 3. If the club want new arrivals to have an impact in Europe, they need to be in the building before the UEFA registration deadline.
The opening-day win over Dundee only reinforced that point.
Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh both made their competitive debuts. Duran was deployed out on the wing, while Hogh endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, passing up opportunities to open his Celtic account.
It would be unfair to judge either player on one outing, but the performance highlighted where this squad still falls short.
Hogh will need consistent service if he is to make the impact expected of him. That puts genuine creativity and quality in the wide areas high on Celtic’s list of priorities over the coming days.
Incoming business is only one side of the equation.
There continues to be strong speculation surrounding the futures of Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels. Interest from England has not gone away, but selling key players before the play-off without suitable replacements already secured would leave Celtic taking an unnecessary gamble.
A central midfielder should already be a priority, let alone if we lose Engels.
The hierarchy cannot allow important areas of the squad to weaken before facing LASK.
These matches carry far more weight than an early-season league fixture. Qualification would transform the outlook for the campaign, both financially and on the pitch. Failure would cast a shadow over the months ahead.
Everyone at the club will remember what happened last season against Almaty.
The lack of transfer activity before that tie left Celtic exposed when it mattered most. The warning signs were there, and the consequences followed.
With the countdown now underway, there is no room for hesitation. Celtic know the opponent, the dates, and the registration deadline. The hard work now has to happen before the paperwork is submitted, not after.
The board think they’re now off the hook after spending £17m on Hogh and Duran, couldn’t be further from the truth.
The strikers were welcomed but we need 2 defenders and at least 2 midfielders, get it done you absolute fannies!!!!
‘The hierarchy cannot allow important areas of the squad to weaken before facing LASK’.
I think you’ll find they can, and will do exactly that, as they have in previous seasons.