Martin O'Neill and Michael Nicholson have been discussing Celtic's sluggish transfer business with supporters. The Hoops' board is coming under intense criticism from supporters, with some making their voices heard during a pre-season friendly hammering at the hands of Sporting CP, although granted the Portuguese side are a very good team.
Still, it's clear to anyone connected to Celtic that major investment is needed this summer, and a proactive approach was a must given the almost inevitable exits of vital players like Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, who are expected to leave.
So far, only Camilo Duran has been signed, with £5.5million committed to that particular deal, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been brought back on a short-term deal.
That lack of transfer activity has many Celtic fans furious, and we are now only just over a fortnight away from the start of the new season.
O'Neill responds to supporters' concerns
O'Neill, along with CEO Michael Nicholson and Brian Wilson, all attended the AGM of the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs this week, and the question was put to them over the lack of business.
The minutes from the meeting detailed: "Martin O'Neill then proceeded to confirm that he has put to the board that we are in major need of signings, as the current squad, despite their heroics last season, are not strong enough to compete.
"He mentioned the focus on finding talent and developing it, because targets he has identified already, were difficult to attract to Glasgow.
"Michael Nicholson also mentioned the silence being intentional because the media will run with any story and paint the club in a bad light no matter what the barriers to signing a player may be."
Nicholson's excuse simply doesn't add up
Nicholson's excuse at the end of those minutes simply isn't going to wash with Celtic fans. In the first instance, it is incredible short-sighed to say the silence has been intentional. When you have a growingly frustrated fanbase and you, as a club, are not living up to your promises, communication is about the only method you have to avoid growing tensions.
Fans can be forgiving of deals not getting done, but they are not forgiving when they don't know if deals are even being worked on. While it's clear Celtic are now working frantically on deals, it appears as though very little was done in the opening few weeks of the summer, and the silence, intentionally or not, has covered for that. Fans see through it, and it is far from a masterful PR strategy.
As for signings being difficult to get over the line, which we have heard a lot about from Celtic this summer, is that really anything new? If signings are so difficult, how have Rangers been so efficient with their transfer business this summer?
If you're only finding out now that your targets don't want to move to Glasgow, then sufficient scouting and research have not been done. Clubs should be going into any summer with a list of players who they can sign, and that they believe there is a realistic chance of signing.
There will always be a couple of pivots that need to be made, football business is not straightforward, but to think the so-called targets are now rejecting Celtic and it has been some kind of shock for O'Neill and the club is beyond belief.
Efficient clubs do that homework well in advance, holding discussions with representatives and keeping in touch for months. That kind of recruitment does not seem to be happening at Celtic, and there is no sign of change.
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