John Hartson reacts to claim Celtic’s 2023 transfer window has been ‘abysmal’

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John Hartson has defended Celtic’s 2023 summer transfer business so far and disagreed that it has been ‘abysmal’.

The Celtic legend shared his thoughts on Brendan Rodgers’ side needing to bring in more quality during this final week of the window, especially in the forward areas, and spoke about those who have left.

The Carl Starfelt transfer to Celta de Vigo was a big talking point, as well as Jota’s big-money move to Saudi Arabia, with Hartson making it clear that it was money the champions couldn’t turn down for the Portuguese star.

Added to that, he has told one critical Celtic fan ‘I don’t think we should be pushing the panic button’, as he told Go Radio.

With someone like Starfelt, yes, some thought that he should have stayed on board, but Cameron Carter-Vickers’ current injury and absence just makes it easier for fans to be frustrated.

Hartson tried to cool everything down and shared that there is still a long way to go, as he explained what he wants from the window, as it enters its final leg.

“I disagree,” responded Hartson to the suggestion Celtic’s window has been ‘abysmal’. “It’s too early. You had to sell Jota. The Starfelt one, I don’t know if he wanted to leave. We paid £5.5 million for him two years ago. He had a great partnership with Carter-Vickers.

“I also think that Alistair Johnston has been a big miss. I also think that Carter-Vickers was a big miss at the weekend. It’s too early to say about Yang Hyun-jun. Can he cut the mustard? Holm got an opportunity on Saturday and he looked okay in previous games.

“I don’t think we should be pushing the panic button. I do agree, we need more quality. But it costs more money and it’s finding them. I want us to bring in a centre-forward, but it’s the hardest position to find goals.

“Lagerbielke, it’s too early, who is in the door for three days and he is asked to play on that difficult surface at Kilmarnock. Mooy retired. I would like to see Hatate back in there, then we are actually not too far away when you get Carter-Vickers back.”

The final week of the transfer window

These past few seasons have been magical for the club and nothing seems to have gone wrong for the Treble-winners.

Amid a period of silence in the transfer market, added to the loss at Killie, and injuries mounting up, the mood around the place needs lifting up.

With the final week of the 2023 summer transfer window upon us, added with the Old Firm around the corner, all can change pretty quickly, so fans shouldn’t fret too much.