Celtic finished off their pre-season campaign with a shaky win over Al Ahli on penalties. It has been quite a hodgepodge set of results anyway. There have been positive wins against top teams like Sporting CP and Newcastle United. But then, it would be a mistake to sweep the 5-1 defeat at the hands of Ajax under the carpet.
Overall, this looks like a Celtic team that is undercooked and not in a position to get past the Champions League qualifier that comes next month. More signings are needed.
One of the areas in immediate need of additions is the wing. Nicolas Kuhn and Luis Palma have left this summer. Combine that with the injury to Jota, which will keep him out for the rest of 2025, and Brendan Rodgers barely has any options to pick from on the flanks.
Marco Tilio is expected to complete a move to Rapid Vienna soon as well. That is why Celtic fans were left stunned when he was named in the starting XI against Al Ahli.
Celtic fans left stunned by Brendan Rodgers' decision
One Celtic fan wrote about the decision: "Why start Tilio if he’s away to Rapid Vienna?"
Another added: "Starting Tilio when he is leaving and James Forrest really is showing up how poor the recruitment is at the club."
Some questions certainly need to be raised about the state of the squad with a week left before the season starts. Celtic seem far weaker than they were last season. The only player with any sort of X-factor in this team is Daizen Maeda and it remains to be seen whether he is able to maintain his levels this season.
Of course, there is still quite a bit of time left in the summer transfer window and perhaps Celtic will be able to turn things around, having spent the past few weeks trying to part with players without a future at the club. But for now, things do not look promising at all for the Hoops.