Celtic could be exposed to season changing transfer risk

Celtic’s Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon could be facing nightmares and a ruined season in September. That’s not the way to secure ten-in-a-row by any means.

Transfer windows always slam shut, but this one could be bolted, padlocked and well and truly sealed for Celtic. In Scotland the window opened on June 10th and ends on September 1st, running for the usual maximum 12 weeks. In some recent windows Scotland has had an advantage over English football by closing after the one down South, players could still be bought by Scottish clubs.

This window is potentially dramatically different. FIFA have introduced a change to the timelines which exposes Celtic and other clubs to a huge risk. The SPFL moved quickly, well reasonably quickly anyway after a dossier, a couple of votes and a bit of a slinging mud match, and ended last season officially. But that decision despite confirming nine-in-a-row for Celtic, may yet bite back.

A number of leagues across Europe are yet to end and still considering how they can play to a conclusion. Although FIFA have announced that transfer windows can be opened even if the season hasn’t ended there could be differences in timing and critically when the window ends in some countries.

So what? Well that means it’s highly likely the window across other leagues in Europe will remain open after the window in Scotland has closed. expected to introduce a transfer window extension which means it can’t open until after the season has ended for those leagues.  Sky Sports reported earlier this week that the English FA were in talks to start their window in August and run through to October.

A nightmare scenario persists in that extended period of a huge bid for a Celtic star and no opportunity to replace them until the following transfer window. Odsonne Edouard has said he wants to stay,  Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounossi might decide to wait for other opportunities and there’s always a risk of a bid for Callum McGregor at some point. You’d hope 10-in-a-row as a challenge will help retain players, but if bids happen in that overlap period it could see a real threat to the title challenge in one fell swoop.

Belgium and the Netherlands were also quick off the blocks in closing down their last seasons football. Their clubs face similar risks of losing star players. Both countries are looking at whether FIFA might allow them to split their window into two parts. That may turn out to be an option for Scotland too. As do the other clubs in Scotland. For some in this current cash-flow sapping period it may be good news by extending the time in which players can be sold to bring in much needed funds. Perhaps the Rangers might find it tactically clever to sell Alfredo Morelos in that extended period, meaning they could honestly state publicly that they couldn’t buy in a replacement and had to use the money in other ways. A great way to cover up the need for cash perhaps.

For Celtic it’s a real concern and nail biting times when we get into that period. All the more reason to try and strike deals to seal Edouard’s and others future with the club for longer. Please!