With two weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut for good, Celtic need to get a move on.
So far, only one arrival has come through the door: Julian Araujo, on loan from Bournemouth.
Martin O’Neill appeared to take a swipe at the board when asked about potential incomings in the aftermath of the Hoops’ 2-0 win against Auchinleck Talbot as the pressure to get new players through the door increases.
Several former targets have already managed to find moves elsewhere, and another has just followed suit.
Change my mind…
Andy Irving joins Sparta Prague
West Ham United confirmed at the weekend that midfelder Andy Irving had joined Sparta Prague for an undisclosed fee.
Irving was linked with Celtic earlier in the season, with the Scotland international looking to make an impact to secure his place in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad.
Nicknamed the ‘Portobello Pirlo’ while growing up, Irving could have been a great option to play alongside, or even replace Callum McGregor in the midfield three.
Tomas Rosicky explains why Andy Irving would have been perfect for Celtic
Although the links to Irving died down pretty quickly, it is another reminder that Celtic are slacking in the recruitment department.
Former Arsenal and Czechia star Tomas Rosicky is the club’s sporting director and was the reason behind the signing of Irving.
You have £20m to spend in the January transfer window. How are you spending it?
Explaining why, he told the Sparta Prague website: “We know Andy well from his time in the Austrian league, where he was very productive. We’ve had him on our radar ever since. He’s a left-footed, smart, hard-working and constructive midfielder with good vision, who can change the pace and focus of the game and has a flair for combination.
“At the same time, he’s honest in defence and conscientiously fulfills defensive tasks. His quick decision-making, movement and game activity, and solving situations have impressed us and we’re very happy that he’ll complete our backup line.”
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