Martin O'Neill has suggested it is unlikely Celtic will get more signings in before Wednesday's Champions League qualifying play-off with LASK. The Bhoys have been busy of late having had a painfully quiet first couple of months of the transfer window.
With two weeks left, Celtic are racing to get their business over the line, with Arne Engels now having followed Daizen Maeda out of the club.
Celtic signed midfielder Mika Baur and winger Haissem Hassan towards this week, and both came off the bench to feature in Sunday's cup win over Dundee United.
But the work goes on, and Celtic still need a left-back and a goalkeeper, while they are hoping to land a replacement for Engels in the midfield.
Celtic unlikely to add to Champions League squad
There is work still to do, but reading into O'Neill's comments, it seems unlikely any new players will be added before Wednesday's first leg with LASK.
“It is a big week for us," O'Neill said after the Dundee win. "We’ve got the game on Wednesday and then the second match the following Tuesday. They are big games in every aspect. Champions League qualification matches, everything to go for. Prestige, finance, all that type of stuff. We’re trying to be as ready as we possibly can.
“I think that we can add to it. Whether that happens before Wednesday is a different issue. We’ve already announced a squad. I think you can until Tuesday night add another two players. I think in time we will get them in. But whether we do before Wednesday is another issue.”
Celtic will feel they have enough
Celtic are short in the context of a whole season, but with no current injury issues, they should have enough to come through two legs with LASK. Baur might have to come into the midfield now that Engels has gone and Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended, but having played his football in Germany up to now, he should have a good idea of how to play against the Austrian champions, given there is plenty of crossover between the styles of football in those two countries.
Between Hogh and Duran, there is plenty up top, while there is now depth on the wings, and there will be more when Jota eventually returns. More depth is required at full-back and between the sticks, but those are issues that are likely to be exposed over the long term if not addressed, rather than over two legs just one week apart.
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