Time flies during the summer and Celtic will soon jet off to the United States for their three-match pre-season tour against DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Honestly, the clock seems to have stalled as a supporter of the Bhoys. No new signings have passed through Parkhead’s gates, signifying a low-key start to the window.
Patience is a virtue, and Brendan Rodgers exuded calmness in his post-match duties after his side’s draw at Ayr United last Friday. He referred to the upcoming Stateside trip as a period where lift-off could happen on the transfer front.
He stated: “Would we like to get some in before America? That’s the plan. I think every manager would like them in on the first day but what’s most important is the players we want are targeted.”
Most fans would agree with that sentiment. Everyone connected with the club wants the right profile in the door; however, that needs to happen sooner rather than later for several reasons.
The USA tour and Celtic’s growing need for fresh blood
I lean into my own hunches a lot on this platform; it is hard not to sometimes, with Celtic not exactly giving much away in their hunt for new bodies.
With that in mind, the US tour seems like the ideal time to introduce some fresh faces, the main reason being quite simple: arrivals will need some time on the grass to acclimatise to their new environment and teammates.
Celtic are still trying to solicit the return of both Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah to Parkhead from Benfica and Norwich City, respectively. The pair succeeded on loan at the club last campaign, and if they do come back, they won’t need any time to settle into already familiar surroundings.
Away from that, focusing on other names which may come to the fore, surely it would make sense to have them in situ against DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea to grant them appropriate time to adapt to Rodgers’ tactical framework. Timescales are important in football, and the Scottish Premiership campaign begins just a week after the Bhoys take on Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
There is an understanding that not all transfer business will be done before Celtic take to the field against Kilmarnock on August 4th, but some of it being complete would be nice, wouldn’t it? Should that not be the case, it could take weeks for eventual incomings to earn an opportunity to showcase their talent.
I say that because it can take time for a manager to play trial and error to maximise the output of fresh individuals. Ideally, that should be done in friendlies and on the training field, not in competitive games.
The wait for signings goes on for Celtic, and the trip across the Atlantic could be a signpost for developments behind the scenes as they prepare for the season ahead.
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