Celtic appear to be playing the long game this window and aren’t in an immediate rush to acquire new recruits.
A feeling of frustration comes with that from supporters. Nonetheless, the transfer window across the board hasn’t produced many money-spinning deals so far.
Brendan Rodgers last week addressed speculation surrounding the arrival of a new goalkeeper, which is regarded as a key transfer mission this summer. However, he was reticent to give away any names in his post-match interview after Ayr United.
He stated: “We aim to have that, hopefully, done by the beginning of the season, for sure. There are loads of names flying about. So, just a good one would be nice.”
Intent is there from Celtic to try and push agreements with Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo over the line, but the two pursuits may also be subject to a waiting game over the next couple of weeks.
The Bhoys are keen to land their key targets, and Scott Allan has given his verdict on why Rodgers is prepared to show patience this summer.
Celtic’s transfer window patience
Speaking to BBC Sport, Allan has indicated that Rodgers and company have decided to wait it out to source out the ‘right calibre’ of player to help Celtic succeed on the continent this term.
He also hinted that the quantity of fringe players at the club has signalled a need for ‘change’ at Parkhead. Allan stated: “The fans have demanded that because of how Europe has gone for Celtic these past few years.
“Some of the guys from the Asian market have done really well – Reo Hatate and Kyogo – but there’s a lot of players just sitting on the sidelines taking a lot of money from Celtic and not playing.
“Is there anything coming out of either side’s [Old Firm] youth systems? There probably hasn’t been enough in the last few years.
“There’s got to be changes from both clubs, but Celtic seem to be going down the patient route this time and looking for the right calibre of player.”
Celtic’s recruitment is always subject to risk
Celtic have been guilty of bringing bodies into the club that sometimes don’t contribute enough throughout a season, leading some fans to label these players as ‘project’ signings or something along those lines.
In truth, given where the Bhoys are in the football food chain, every arrival involves risk. Not every player who walks through the doors of Parkhead will be capable of handling the pressure in Glasgow’s east end.
Rodgers and his staff need to find a way to minimise that margin for error. Targeting high-calibre players may be a way to do this, but they will also attract transfer competition from elsewhere, which may explain why Celtic fans have been made to wait for incomings.
Either way, there is hope that supporters won’t have to wait too long, with the Scottish Premiership campaign less than a month from its start date.
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