It is perhaps too much to expect one thing to go straightforwardly at Celtic. Earlier, a potential move for Niko Sigur had seemingly fallen apart after Wilfried Nancy was sacked. Now, it looks like the Hoops could be set to pull the plug on another move, but for a completely different reason this time around.
Celtic do need to get some deals done this winter. Martin O'Neill has won eight of his nine games in charge over his two interim spells. But even the Northern Irishman has admitted that he needs some help, preferably first-team-ready players.
Unfortunately, it looks like a deal for Jocelin Ta Bi is set for a last-minute collapse. Everything had been agreed, from the transfer fee to the contract. But there is an unexpected twist in the tale.
As reported by The Herald, Ta Bi was expected to become the first signing of O’Neill’s spell this week. But the plans to complete the deal are now under review after tests showed that the winger requires surgery for a medical issue.
Celtic make last-minute U-turn after deal had been agreed
Of course, this is bad news for Celtic. Perhaps Ta Bi would not have been someone capable of coming in and immediately establishing himself as a starter. But at the very least, he would have added depth to the Hoops' squad.
In the past, we have seen Celtic keep on tracking a player, even if they fail to sign him at first. That happened with Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who had been continuously linked with the Hoops for a year before the signing was completed last summer. So, even if a deal for Ta Bi falls apart this month, that does not mean that the club won't go back for him in the future.
Ultimately, though, if Ta Bi is not going to be available from the off, there is little point in signing him right now. The last thing that Celtic need right now is more players sitting on the sidelines with fitness issues.