July 15th is the date in which the Celtic fanbase will have a clearer understanding of how prepared the club truly is.
That’s the date set by UEFA for the Hoops to register our squad for the UCL second qualifying round against Midtjylland. Granted, we have a further four days afterward to add to the squad before no further changes can be made.
The objective is very simply for CEO Dom McKay and manager Ange Postecoglou. One right-back and one centre-back. Preferably two of the latter, but should Kris Ajer stay then one will suffice for now.
But there’s a massive problem. There appears to have been no substantial progress made since Postecoglou took to his first media conference over two weeks ago.
Even worse, Ange was officially appointed on June 10th – over a full month ago. Back when his announcement was made, the new boss said they had already begun planning to add to the squad [Celtic Website].
Fast forward over four weeks later and we’re still in the same position. Okay, so Osaze Urhogide is in the door, but he doesn’t look like one for the immediate future. In terms of blockbuster or even solid, European-hardened stars, we’ve brought in nothing.
The perfect scenario, and one Celtic should’ve been working towards, was getting a right-back and centre-back in for the pre-season camp in Wales. That camp will now end in three days with final preparations for Midtjylland now underway.
Any player who signs this week will at least have this weekend’s match against Preston North End to familiarise themselves with the rest of the group. But even leaving it this late has meant any new additions will have to just be thrown in with hardly a solid understanding of how Ange Postecoglou wants his teams to play.
If Celtic end the week with no fresh faces in the door, it will be a massive shot in the foot for the new regime. Supporters won’t exactly be overly forgiving, and neither they should. It would leave us with gaping defensive holes against Midtjylland, and gives fans the perfect target should we lose the tie.
McKay is supposed to be bringing a new aura of efficiency to Celtic. A massive test of that is always going to be in the transfer market. So far, we’re closing in on mid-July and the squad isn’t any stronger than it was in May. Despite extensive work said to have been done on transfers stretching back to then.
It’s a red flag that it’s even taken to this stage to bring in priority signings. If Midtjylland was tomorrow, we would have Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh as part of that back four. The former has proven he isn’t good enough whilst the latter still has some development to do before he’s at that level. To put it bluntly, we need better just now.
A huge week lies ahead for this football club. Bring in the two signings we need to strengthen and it’ll be a feather in McKay’s cap. Failure to do so? Comparisons with the previous regime will be difficult for the new CEO to erase.
In other news: CARL Starfelt disappointment isn’t the start to the summer window Celtic support was looking for
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