It always seems slow as far as Celtic transfer business goes. The summer window is only just open, and we are all hopeful of some early signings. The earlier, the better, as preparation time ahead of the season and Champions League Playoffs will be critical.Â
It’s not always easy, as we know, though, players and other clubs can make things drag on. Celtic seems to have a part to play in that, too. But there are a couple of more straightforward deals to be made. We may well know if those are going to happen quite soon as an important date approaches.Â
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kelechi Iheanacho are the two players in question. They both signed short deals with options for another season. We know what they can offer and the sort of money they are looking for. We don't know what Martin O'Neill might prefer or whether he is keen to retain both at the club.Â
Pre-season could determine two Celtic players fates
Both players would benefit from a structured pre-season training approach. The Ox arrived in January, having had very little game time. At times, he showed what a great player he is; at other points, the game passed him by somewhat. There are plenty of signs that he enjoyed his time at the club and has plenty to offer.Â
Iheanacho was a late signing, after last summer's window closed as an out-of-contract deal. He took time to get up to speed when he first signed, and then an injury disrupted his season. But, as he showed in the last few games, there is a goal scorer in there. Iheanacho also offered more upfront than Celtic’s other forwards in terms of holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Fitness and speed seemed the only issues; he isn't going to add pace, but fitness can be worked on.
And that's where preseason comes in. The non-international Celtic players return to training on Friday, June 26. Just over a week away. If those two players are to be with Celtic next season, you’d want to see both turning up on day 1. Celtic can't be waiting until much later in the window to see what else turns up.Â
If anything is going to happen as far as those two players are concerned, it really needs to be soon. There may be a preference to sign younger talent on longer-term deals. But that has to be balanced by getting the squad set up and ready for the Champions League playoff round in August. There is still time to add other players later, but Celtic need what those two can offer sooner.
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