Four weeks have passed since Martin O’Neill's continuation as Celtic's manager was confirmed, yet the club has made no new signings, a stark contrast to rivals Rangers and Hearts who have collectively brought in 13 players. This period of inactivity in the transfer market is raising concerns among supporters and observers, particularly with the Champions League qualifiers approaching in mid-August.
While O’Neill was appointed for another season, and interim chairman Brian Wilson stated the club would be "very active" in recruitment, Celtic remains the only Scottish Premiership club yet to sign a player. The only arrival, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is an extension of his previous loan spell. A deal is reportedly in place for Qarabag forward Camilo Duran for approximately £6 million, but significant work is still needed to rebuild the squad.
This lack of urgency echoes last summer's transfer window, which set a negative tone for the season and contributed to early European exit. Despite O’Neill's efforts, the squad was depleted going into crucial Champions League qualifiers against Kairat Almaty, a situation described as a "£40million gamble that backfired." The club is reportedly selling merchandise and tickets while struggling with behind-the-scenes recruitment, and appears to be operating without a dedicated head of recruitment or a clear structure.
Reports suggest that the World Cup is not preventing other clubs from making signings, with Rangers signing Lawrence Shankland and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur during the tournament. This indicates that market conditions, while potentially challenging, are not insurmountable for clubs with efficient operations. Celtic’s inertia, therefore, is seen by some as a failure to prepare.
O’Neill himself has expressed a desire to sign new players and aimed to have five or six new signings to bolster the squad for European competition. The potential departures of key players, such as Daizen Maeda and possibly Arne Engels, further amplify the need for new additions. If Celtic enters the new season unprepared, as they did last year, they risk becoming vulnerable in European competitions again, a situation O'Neill's renewed contract was intended to address.