One player is still keen to sign a Celtic contract despite hesitancy on the club's part. The Bhoys have had a painfully slow start to the summer transfer window, yet to make any new signings despite having returned for pre-season.
#In usual circumstances, there may not be such a rush to get deals over the line, and there is still a month to go until the season starts, but Celtic have a lot of work to do this summer.
The squad is lacking in depth in a number of areas, especially up top and in the goalkeeper position, and a number of key players are expected to depart this summer., so they will need replacing.
Iheanacho still waiting to be signed
As this point, striker Kelechi Iheanacho has left the club, contractually speaking. His short-term deal ended on June 30, and Celtic did not take up the included option to extend it by 12 months.
That does not mean a new deal can't be agreed, but the Bhoys are yet to make a concrete decision on the experienced frontman, and he was not part of the squad that returned for pre-season training on Friday.
We now know Celtic are set to pass up on re-signing Alex Oxlande-Chamberlain, who had a similar deal with the club, but the Iheanacho situation is very different.
Celtic currently have just one out-and-out striker on the books in 20-year-old Callum Osmand. As we have seen during the World Cup, as well as for the Bhoys, Daizen Maeda can play there, but it is not his natural position, and he looks more likely than not to leave the club this summer.
O'Neill has a big problem at the top end of the pitch, likely needing at least two, and realistically three new strikers this summer. That is a very difficult thing to pull off, especially without spending huge amounts of money.
According to Pete O'Rourke, Iheanacho's preference is still to rejoin Celtic this summer as he works on his fitness on an individual level, but Celtic are yet to make their move.
Iheanacho signing is a gimme
Celtic's lack of movement towards Iheanacho deal is baffling. Look, if the Hoops already had a couple of strikers on the books, you would understand O'Neill going in a different direction, if that was what he wanted.
But this striker situation is hugely concerning. The chances of Celtic getting three new strikers in on time for the start of the season are remote, and even if they get them in by the end of the window, the chances of all three working out are limited.
In Iheanacho, Celtic have an experienced player who knows the division, having played here last year, knows the squad, knows O'Neill and how he wants to play, knows European football and the list goes on.
Even if he serves as the number three striker next season, he can be kept around on a free deal and likely a very affordable striker. To think Celtic have a more affordable and proven option to be their second or third striker is naive, and it would be a huge mistake not to agree, at the least, a one-year deal with Iheanacho this summer.
It's a risk-free deal, and as for the fitness concerns, in Iheanacho's defence, he came in from the cold last season after a tough time at Sevilla, and he would have the chance to work with O'Neill on the grass this summer.
The striker knows O'Neill wants him to get fitter and he is still prioritising a return to Paradise, which tells you all you need to know.
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