Celtic must change how they do business this transfer window

Time for serious change regarding how the club handles transfers.

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Another summer, another transfer window and here we find ourselves again. A familiar story of the club struggling to get players in early doors ahead of the Champions League qualifier. Interim chairman Brian Wilson made the claim that lessons had indeed been learnt from the mess of last season. We’d all like to know what those lessons are exactly because the club once again finds itself in the position of needing several new players in the door before the big game in a few weeks time. Over and over Celtic go into these key games with want away players who fail to turn up and deliver. How many times did we play Bitton at centre back? We only have to look back at the disaster that was the Kairat Almaty tie last August. It’s like the club are happy to play a game of wait and see before committing to a serious level of investment. As usual, there have been plenty of links in the press but at time of writing the Columbian forward Camilo Durán is the only new signing that’s made it through the door.

Key players are expected to leave this summer

Granted, no one major has left yet, however with the likes of Maeda, Engels, Hatate and Nygren linked with moves, are these players really going to have the commitment required for these season defining games? I’m not so sure. Last summer Rodgers was literally begging in the press for new additions ahead of the tie because he knew that adding two or three new players would give the squad a freshness and a lift. As a club with considerable cash reserves in the bank, we shouldn’t be waiting to see who leaves before bringing new players through the door. When we had Edouard in the building the club were in a position to sell Dembele and take the bid that suited them. We just shouldn’t be scrambling for players in the last week of any window. With all due respect, that’s how you end up taking punts on the likes of Balikwisha and Tounekti for the high prices they commanded.

The Celtic fans just want the club to be more assertive in the transfer market and strike when a good opportunity presents itself. What’s wrong with completing two or three quality signings early on that can help excite the fans and the players? It can only be a good move. The more time the manager and coaches have with the players on the training ground before the qualifiers the better. We can’t be signing them the week of and expect them to understand how their teammates and the club works. If we want them to stand a chance of delivering in the high pressure environment then they need to be in the door now. Same with the likes of Iheanacho. If he’s coming back then he should of been in the first day of pre season to get physically ready for what lies ahead.

The club must show intent this summer.

We’ve all heard the rumours that the club likes to delay signings to avoid paying unnecessary wages early in the window. That simply cannot be true. If it is, then the short sightedness is staggering. Look at all the Champions League money we’ve missed out on year after year playing with fire, potentially to save a few weeks money on new incomings. It doesn’t make sense.

I do actually think things will be a bit different this year. They have to be. I feel a few additions will be through the door earlier than normal. Martin will see to that. Whether they are the right signings that can lift the squad and give existing players confidence is another matter entirely. Recruitment just hasn’t been good enough in recent times.

Almost as important as the players coming in are the players who will be leaving the club. Anyone moving on this summer should do so early to avoid any possible distractions. Make it clear to buying clubs that potential deals need to be done early and that the club wants to draw a line in the sand and move on with preparing for the qualifiers.

This is the easiest route we will have to the Champions League for some time due to the club facing additional qualifiers in future years. The board must give Martin the necessary tools to complete the job and shape the season ahead. This summer will show us whether the club are serious about European progression and if they have taken on board the concerns and frustration of the wider support.

Have they learnt the lessons they claim?

Tim Lisbon

All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only

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