Opinion- Transfer Chaos Behind The Scenes?

It’s Time for Celtic to Plan Properly for the Future

Celtic’s transfer strategy has reached a point where change isn’t just desirable, it’s essential. The club’s recent pattern of selling players without securing timely or adequate replacements has created a squad that feels imbalanced. The core issue isn’t that Celtic sell players; selling is a natural and necessary part of modern football. The problem is how and when they sell, and what they do, or fail to do, next.

The logic behind selling certain players is sound. If a player has been at the club for a couple of years and hasn’t established himself as a main contributor, moving him on for the most you can get is sensible business.

Likewise, selling a player in his prime can make sense if the fee reflects not only his market value but also the cost and difficulty of replacing his contribution. A club like Celtic must constantly balance footballing needs with corporate demands, and smart trading is part of that.

But smart trading requires foresight. Celtic’s recruitment team must plan, not react. That means identifying potential departures months in advance, lining up replacements early, and ensuring that the squad remains balanced even through transition. Too often, Celtic have waited until a bid arrives before scrambling to respond. That kind of reactiveness leaves the team exposed, especially when the outgoing player is central to the system. Take new signing Kasper Høgh, a replacement for Kyogo 18 months after the Japanese forward left the club.

Communication is another missing piece. Players should understand the club’s longterm plan for them, not in vague terms, but clearly and directly. When a player knows where he stands, he’s less likely to be unsettled by outside interest. Take Alistair Johnston’s situation as an example. He’s happy at Celtic, committed, and performing well. Yet a bid from Everton, below Celtic’s valuation and disruptive in footballing terms, risks unsettling him precisely because he wasn’t already aligned with a longterm plan. If he knew the club’s intentions, and if those intentions were communicated early and honestly, the noise around such bids would have far less impact on his mindset and performances.

This is why Celtic must stop reacting to bids, especially those that undervalue both the player and his importance to the squad. Every transfer decision must weigh two factors: the financial offer and the footballing cost. If selling a player creates imbalance, reduces quality, or forces rushed recruitment, the bid is not good enough; no matter the headline number.

Ultimately, Celtic need to operate on the front foot. That means longterm recruitment strategies, proactive succession planning, and transparent communication with players and supporters. It means understanding that the club’s footballing ambitions and corporate responsibilities are not opposing forces but interconnected priorities. When Celtic get this balance right, they both protect and strengthen it. When they get it wrong, the consequences are felt on pitch success.

A modern club cannot afford to drift. Celtic have the resources, the stature, and the appeal to build a stable, forward thinking recruitment model. Now they need the foresight and clarity to execute it.

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

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