Celtic’s lack of transfer activity has been questioned by Chris Sutton.
It has now been 18 days since the window opened, yet there have been no new arrivals through the door despite clear gaps in the squad after last season.
The biggest piece of business so far has been Martin O’Neill remaining in place as manager. Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus have also stayed on as part of his backroom staff.
That, however, is as far as the club’s recruitment has gone.
The board have made it clear they intend to back O’Neill in the transfer market, but there has been little sign of any deal for a first-team player moving towards completion.
He said (RecordSport):
“Lost in a fog might also be apt when it comes to describing Celtic’s dealings in the transfer market.
“On one hand, I’m absolutely gobsmacked at the lack of activity thus far because of the huge needs of the squad.
“It’s less than a month until the competitive action gets underway and, given what unfolded last season, it almost beggars belief that Celtic have not been more active to this point.
Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t shock me because, let’s be honest, it’s been happening for years and nothing seems to change.”
That final point is likely to resonate with plenty of Celtic supporters.
The club have developed a reputation for slow starts in the transfer market, with previous windows seeing key business delayed and targets slip away before deals could be completed.
With pre-season preparations already underway and the first competitive fixture now less than a month away, the expectation was that Celtic would move quickly to strengthen a squad that fell short last season.
Instead, supporters are still waiting for the first new face.
The promises of backing the manager have been made. Fans now want to see those words matched by action, because as things stand, the transfer window has produced more questions than answers.
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4 responses
did the fans who renewed season tickets really believe change would come under these charlatans? not to believe a word from their lying mouths. maybe next year will see a boycott but won’t hold my breath. more of the same again
Desmond and his malignant cabal of corporate greed and austerity fc will spend zilch and will sell any players they can, is there some financial difficulties at the club , they are behaving as if they are in financial distress. Stop giving them your money or you are complicit in the destruction
The board have got the season ticket holders over a barrel and they know that that’s why they don’t care the have your money before the new season starts and there’s nothing we can do. how many time over the years have we heard managers say we need quality players? how many times has the board backed the managers with real commitment?
From a fans point of view it is frustrating every year you pay a premium to support your team and you get nothing in return from the board. and we cannot change a thing
As Che is fond of saying, there is plenty you can do, by putting the club first, and withholding your cash. They only have fans ‘over a barrel’, because the fans allow it.