Martin O'Neill is feeling the rush as Celtic finally start to get their act together on the recruitment front. The Bhoys spent weeks waiting before making their first signing of the summer, becoming the final Scottish Premiership side to make a move.
Celtic have much more business to do, and we are expecting to see plenty of signings across the course of the summer. In fact, the Bhoys are now expected to seriously ramp up their summer transfer business, especially in the wake of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda's expected departures.
O'Neill starting to feel the rush
It's anyone's guess as to what Celtic were doing for the first few weeks of O'Neill's permanent spell as boss. In truth, any homework should have been done coming into the summer, especially given it was always likely, or at least likely enough, that O'Neill was going to return.
Now , around three weeks from the start of the season, and around four from the Champions League qualifiers beginning, it feels as though there is a rush to get through the long recruitment to-do list.
And O'Neill is feeling the rush. He told the Daily Record: "I honestly don’t think I’ve ever paced myself. Unfortunately, football doesn’t give you the chance to pace yourself. So I’ve never done that. It’s just going full throttle now.
“I think the recruitment is very, very important, to try and get some more players in if we can do. And I think the Champions League game is nearly within a couple of matches of the season starting. It’s upon you.”
Celtic's transfer rush will only get more intense
Celtic are not in a bad position as we speak, given little has changed from last season, and once Kelechi Iheanacho re-signs, there is arguably a stronger striker group.
But that is going to change, with Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda almost certain to lose, while there are doubts over the futures of Reo Hatate and Alistair Johnston.
Celtic's to-do list is going to grow, and even without those exits, there are signings that need to be made, including at the goalkeeping position and likely the centre-back position.
With just weeks to go until the start of the season and the start of the World Cup qualifiers, Celtic should be feeling the pinch, and amid growing criticism from supporters, they need to make sure they are not left ruing their slow start to the window.
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