Roger Hannah is expecting Celtic’s recruitment work to go into overdrive for the last five weeks of the season.
We are now less than a week out from the beginning of the competitive season with just two deals completed for Martin O’Neill’s squad.
Many fans are underwhelmed by the volume, given that a major rebuild was expected. However, transfer insider Hannah still thinks that the overhaul is on.
His intriguing radio address included a surprise claim that Alistair Johnston could be on the way out… to be replaced by Julian Araujo.
😳 Celtic could be set for an extremely eventful five weeks…
Roger Hannah on Celtic business: ‘A lot of work being done’
Scottish Sun chief Hannah said on Clyde Superscoreboard: “For me, there’s parallels between this summer and the Ange pre-season.
“He came in, there was a bit of scepticism pre-season… I remember West Ham coming to Celtic Park and winning 6-2, and there was a lot of worry.
READ MORE: Ally McCoist reveals chance Alistair Johnston meeting: ‘Impressive individual’
“There were a lot of deals done late on. There were outgoings – Ryan Christie went on to Bournemouth, Odsonne Edouard went on to Crystal Palace… there were guys that came in late on.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of activity between now and the third of September at Celtic.
“There will be outgoings. It would not at all surprise me if Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Alistair Johnston all follow Daizen Maeda out the door.
“It would not surprise me at all. And the key, then, is to make sure that Mika Baur comes in to replace Engels. Maybe Julian Araujo comes back to replace Alistair Johnston. They get somebody in to replace Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.
“I think there’s a lot of work being done by Mark Cooper and that Celtic recruitment team. I think there will be a lot of activity in the last five weeks of the window.”
Formerly based in South America and well-known by the online Celtic community, Cooper is currently working as the club’s acting head of recruitment.
Easily Hannah’s biggest claim is that regarding Araujo and Johnston; there has been no suggestion until now that a Parkhead return is possible for the Mexico international.
Movement in the goalkeeper, left-back and winger departments also appears essential.
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