Stiliyan Petrov understands Celtic transfer conundrum

By Hamish Carton

July 15, 2019

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov says he understands the difficulty facing the club in terms of recruitment this summer.

So far, Neil Lennon has signed three first-team players but things seem to have gone a little quiet in recent days. The Northern Irishman is still chasing a right-back as well as a few other key positions.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And although time may be ticking down with big games on the horizon, Petrov says it’s important Celtic don’t rush.

He told the Sunday Post: “The manager will be assessing all options available to him, and the club will be working hard behind the scenes to provide him with targets to consider. It is a long, and often complicated, process.

“You need to identify the right person, and then if he is attached to a club, negotiate a transfer fee, and then the player and agent’s fees.

“That’s why you need to be patient. I understand that the supporters want to see new players being brought in and money being spent. That is only natural.

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“But there has to be a proper sense of responsibility and professionalism.

“Going out and bringing someone in if you are not 100% sure is not the right way to go about things.”

Petrov is correct about Celtic recruitment

Petrov is, of course, bang on the money. Celtic can’t afford to be foolish in the transfer window this summer and bring in any players in a mad panic.

We have seen, all too recently, the effect that panicking can have on recruitment. Last summer, Brendan Rodgers panicked by bringing in Youssouf Mulumbu from Kilmarnock on deadline day. The midfielder was the very definition of a panic buy – following the club’s failed pursuit of John McGinn.

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Fast forward six months and Rodgers was at it again. The time, the Northern Irishman made several bizarre loan signings that were nothing more than stop-gaps.

While the likes of Oliver Burke and Jeremy Toljan may have enjoyed initial success, their longevity was found seriously lacking. As a result, the club were left with several unhappy players at the tail end of last season.

We can’t afford a repeat this season and should, therefore, be happy to take our time. The club have over a week to secure any new signings in time for the next round of Champions League qualification. Most fans will be confident that they’ll make that deadline.