It is difficult to dress this January window up as anything other than disappointing for Celtic.

Five loans, no permanent signings and little evidence of the ambition required to haul a side into a genuine title challenge.

Even the most optimistic supporters would struggle to argue that this squad now looks equipped to go and win a league.

The deadline day activity in particular did little to shift the mood.

Three arrivals came through the door late on, but none arrived with the sense of momentum or authority that usually signals intent.

Of the January additions overall, Tomáš Čvančara and Julián Araujo have at least shown encouraging signs, while the rest feel like short-term cover rather than building blocks.

No permanent deals were completed, despite Celtic coming close on one occasion. The winger deal that nearly went through on a long-term basis was ultimately renegotiated into a loan after an issue was flagged during the medical.

It summed up a window that never quite moved beyond contingency planning.

Centre-back was an obvious priority throughout January, yet it was never convincingly addressed.

Celtic recalled Stephen Welsh from Motherwell, only to send him straight back weeks later once minimal cover had been secured in the shape of a defender with just three senior appearances. That sequence alone raised questions about planning and trust in the squad.

In that context, it is fair to ask why Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was not given a chance earlier, before being recalled by Manchester City and now playing regularly in the Bundesliga.

Perhaps most frustratingly, permanent options were available. On CeltsAreHere Extra Time, Mark Hendry reported that Celtic explored permanent deals, including one familiar name. Filip Benković, now a consistent starter with AIK, could have been signed for around £860,000 after playing 27 league games in 2025.

Ultimately, Celtic chose loans, seemingly with a future permanent manager in mind.

Whether that caution proves justified remains to be seen, but in the here and now, it feels like a window that passed Celtic by.