Neil Lennon’s comments at the weekend about his hope that Celtic will make quality signings ‘on Monday or Tuesday’ have put serious pressure on the club to deliver by close of play today.
Not only did he seem to suggest that players were on the verge of signing, or at least he was hoping they were, but that they could even make their debut at Ibrox.
For clarity his comments in full, as quoted by The Scottish Sun, were: “We need players in two or three positions. That’s been ongoing for quite a while.
“Hopefully we can get some quality bodies in on Monday or Tuesday.
“If we do, I’d like to take them to Sweden with us to integrate them with the group if they have an opportunity to play next weekend.”
Public statements like that set expectations with supporters, some of whom have been wondering for the last 48 hours who the mystery potential arrivals are.
With conflicting reports emerging about targets such as Birger Meling and Greg Taylor, we seem no closer to making a transfer breakthrough.
The hope will be of course that work is being done behind the scenes to make the additions we need, but nothing seems particularly imminent right now.
There’s no point in making comments like these without the backing in place for it to come through.
Fans know that the end of the transfer window is coming. We also know the positions that need strengthened most.
We don’t need to hear that players are on the verge of coming through the door when they aren’t.
All it does is ramp up the narrative we’re a bit all over the place when it comes to recruitment.
Hopefully the club can get its act together ahead of next Monday’s deadline.
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