While Celtic’s managerial search drags on, there is a growing feeling the uncertainty is now beginning to slow the club’s summer recruitment plans too.
Celtic appear to be narrowing in on a final decision between Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane following talks over recent days.
O’Neill would undoubtedly be the more popular appointment among large sections of the support after rescuing the club twice this season and somehow delivering the domestic double.
Keane, meanwhile, remains a far more divisive option despite reportedly emerging as Dermot Desmond’s preferred candidate internally.
But while Celtic continue weighing up the dugout situation, rivals are already moving aggressively in the transfer market.
Rangers have secured the signing of Lawrence Shankland following his departure from Hearts, while the Edinburgh side have already started reshaping their squad after narrowly missing out on the title.
Hearts have added winger Josh McPake following his exit from St Johnstone, midfielder Tom Renaud from Versailles and defender MJ Kamson-Kamara from Lincoln City. It is worth noting that some were pre-contracts, but it shows a club moving forward and being proactive in the market.
Former Celtic academy player Calvin Miller also appears close to joining Derek McInnes’ side from Falkirk.
Meanwhile, Celtic remain in a holding pattern.
There is work happening behind the scenes.
Scouting structures are still active and recruitment planning is continuing, but there is a clear reluctance to fully greenlight signings until the managerial picture becomes clearer.
Writing in CeltsAreHere Extra Time, Mark Hendry explained the current situation.
“Scouts have been sent far and wide to hunt players specific to certain profiles.
“The desired positions may not change but the personality of the player will be specific to a manager’s style so no signings will be greenlit before a gaffer is in the door with his feet planted under the desk.”
That probably explains the current frustration among supporters.
Celtic know this is a massive summer.
Champions League qualifiers loom in August, several first-team players are expected to leave and another failed window after last season’s chaos would likely trigger further huge backlash from the support. Add an uninspiring and unpopular managerial appointment to that…
But until the club settle on who will actually lead the project, recruitment may continue moving slower than many fans would like.
yes we are playing solataire meaning anything happening in dermot desmond is stayying with im the board yet supporters are suppose yo trust a board thats done nothing to really expect trust fans arent getting told nothing yes money and spending is the big hold up and who gets to the board or the manager who buys the player