Celtic are working against the clock to get Haissem Hassan through the door in time to face LASK in the Champions League play-off – but the Thursday deadline is not the be-all and end-all.
The Real Oviedo winger is travelling to the UK to complete his medical and finalise his move to Parkhead, with Celtic hopeful of completing everything in time for him to be registered for the first leg against the Austrian champions.
The Hoops have until the end of Thursday, August 13, to submit their initial squad list for the play-off round.
That means there is still plenty of time for Hassan’s transfer to be completed and for his name to be added to Martin O’Neill’s squad.
And there is confidence within Celtic that the deal can be concluded in time.
However, supporters should not panic if Hassan isn’t registered by Thursday.
UEFA’s rules allow clubs to make changes to their squad after the initial list has been submitted.
Celtic can register up to two additional players for the play-off round, with those changes able to be made up until 11pm on Tuesday, August 18.
That is the day before the first leg against LASK at Celtic Park.
So even if Hassan misses Thursday’s initial deadline, Celtic still have another opportunity to get him involved.
It also gives the club an extra window to potentially complete another deal.
The schedule is tight, but it is not quite the deadline some supporters may believe it is.
Celtic’s Champions League registration dates
- Thursday, August 13: Deadline to submit the initial squad list for the play-off.
- Up to Tuesday, August 18 at 11pm: Celtic can make changes and register a maximum of two additional players.
- Wednesday, August 19: First leg against LASK at Celtic Park.
- Tuesday, August 25: Second leg away to LASK.
Celtic could potentially complete Hassan’s transfer after Thursday and still register him before the first leg.
There is therefore no need to view Thursday as a hard stop on recruitment.
The priority is obviously to get the winger signed and registered as quickly as possible, particularly given the importance of the LASK tie.
But Celtic still have a little breathing room.
And with the club continuing to work on other targets, there is potentially another week for Martin O’Neill to get further reinforcements through the door before the Champions League play-off begins.
Hassan is the immediate focus.
The clock is ticking, but Celtic are not yet up against their final deadline.
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