With not a lot of time left in the summer transfer window, it looks like Celtic have finally gotten the wake-up call that they needed, with the goalless draw against Kairat Almaty in midweek. Over the past couple of days, there has been a lot of speculation around the club's potential incomings and outgoings. Is it already a bit too late though?
Celtic fans continue to wait for incomings. On the other hand, it looks like a departure is now all but done.
Celtic allowed the Marco Tilio transfer saga to drag on for weeks longer than anticipated. But now, it looks like they are set to close the deal with Rapid Vienna after renegotiating terms. Is that pointing towads a winger signing being close as well? One can only wonder.
News broke earlier today that a transfer fee had been reached between the two clubs. And now, as reported by Anthony Joseph, Tilio has agreed terms on a four-year deal with Rapid Vienna. The Australian international is due to arrive in Austria today to undergo a medical.
'Agreed terms' - Anthony Joseph drops Celtic transfer update
Tilio was signed in the summer of 2023. While Ange Postecoglou was gone by that point, it felt like he was a player that the club have scouted while the Australian was still the manager of the Hoops.
Under the management of Brendan Rodgers, Tilio never really got his chance at Celtic. He would spend most of his time back in Australia, on loan at Melbourne City FC. And now, it looks like his time in Glasgow is finally set to come to an end on a permanent basis.
This feels like the right step for all parties involved. Tilio clearly did not have a future at Celtic and will have a better time elsewhere.
On the other hand, Tilio's departure does clear the books and space in the squad for Celtic. One has to wonder if this is an indication that the club are close to signing a winger or two. They have been heavily linked with players like Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Calvin Stengs and Jakob Breum over the past few days.
But then, speculation has surrounded the Scottish champions all summer without much of substance ever happening. So, all we can do at this point is wait and watch how things work out and hope that some quality additions are made before the transfer window closes.