In some seasons the January transfer window has been used to bolster the squad, to bring depth or instant impact. That could be much needed this season, but there is an increasingly high risk of it being a bleak period for Celtic.
Celtic have had some good instant impact signings in previous winter transfer windows. It’s been a while now since the surprise Robbie Keane reveal. More recent examples would be of Timothy Weah and Ollie Burke arriving and scoring goals in their early games.
Equally the Hoops have a habit of making January signings who disappear from sight for long periods and do not have much of an impact at all. Marvin Compper and Ismaila Soro are two such examples.
The desire to identify and bring in quality players may remain but making that happen could well be a serious challenge. Firstly there is the question mark over the manager’s future. Who will be in charge in January? Might that differ from the start to the end of the window? If it’s a new manager, is that temporary for this season only or long-term?
More from Celtic FC News
- Celtic handed fresh injury doubt before Feyenoord game
- Celtic’s £40.7 million announcement should scare Rangers
- Brendan Rodgers makes superb claim about returning Celtic player
- BBC pundit makes sensational claim about Celtic hero Kyogo
- Kyogo Furuhashi sends clear message to Celtic doubters
If you were a player thinking of signing, how impressed would you be of stories about the manager not wanting players who have been signed. News in the Daily Record that Neil Lennon apparently didn’t want Shane Duffy won’t help attract quality players. The team’s current form will become a factor too. Players might think they can be the difference needed, but some may not want to join if the forecast for success looks bleak.
There’s also the risk of the board cashing in early on any players they receive offers for. Odsonne Edouard and Kris Ajer come to mind. Leaving huge holes behind to fill amongst the likely uncertainty prevailing.
It’s always hard to find a transfer window that excites fans and matches the board’s monetary expectations. The summer signings were exciting, the future looked very good. It’s not quite worked out that way yet.
It’s very likely again that loans could well be prominent amongst any signings, it may just be short-term arrangements and misfits with nowhere else to go who are interested in talks with the Hoops this season.