Dom McKay addresses Celtic support after transfer window shuts

By Euan Davidson

September 1, 2021

Celtic CEO Dom McKay has addressed supporters after the transfer window shut late last night.

In what was a busy summer for the club, Celtic hired a bold new manager in Ange Postecoglou. Then, they armed him with 12 signings; some with potential to be stars of the future, others to fill key positions right now.

Already, the likes of Joe Hart, Liel Abada and Kyogo have won fans over. James McCarthy, a boyhood Hoops fan, should prove a good addition, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis provide international quality.

McKay, who himself started at the beginning of the summer, wrote to the fans about the transfer window.

He said [Celtic FC]:

“From the skill and experience the likes of Joe Hart and James McCarthy bring to the squad, to the flair of players like Kyogo and Liel Abada, this transfer window has been a busy period for the club with 12 new players joining Ange and our squad at Celtic.

“We have strengthened the squad in all areas of the pitch, with international-level talent, and while naturally disappointed to see some faces head in the opposite direction, we wish them every success in their next ventures.

“The club has worked tirelessly to get fans back into Celtic Park, and seeing the stadium full again is such a great sight. It is so pleasing to have our fans come home again.”

Celtic CEO Dom McKay delighted with action-packed transfer window

Fine, yes: some big names left. Hopeful targets may have passed us by. However, it’d be churlish to argue that McKay hasn’t been exceptionally busy since he took Lawwell’s old job on Kerrydale Street.

The fans needed a manager to get behind, and the confidence to know he’d be backed. And, in many respects, the club have got immense value without spending beyond their means.

Juranovic, for example, cost a reported £2.5m [Sky Sports]. Last season’s top scorer in Holland; roughly the same.

A first-choice keeper in Joe Hart set the club back a mere million. In every department, money has been spent to strengthen the squad.

Across the pitch, Celtic may have lost some former favourites, but Postecoglou and McKay can both feel broadly satisfied with a hard summer’s work.

Read more: The three players with a first-team lifeline after transfer window shuts