Celtic have been told they need as many as eight new signings to be fully prepared for the new season. The Bhoys have struggled to do business this summer, so far only managing two additions, with Kasper Hogh signing for ÂŁ11million plus add-ons and Camilo Duran signing for ÂŁ5.5million.
The striker department is now taken care of, but Celtic have plenty of work still to do this summer. Martin O'Neill needs to fill a number of positions, while players are also expected to leave the club, with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate on the list of likely exitees, while Daizen Maeda has already left.
Those players are going to need to be replaced, and Celtic are also short of a left-back and a goalkeeper. There is a lot of work to do for O'Neill and the club's recruitment staff, and that has been highlighted by former Celtic star Paul Hartley in an interview with the Glasgow Evening Times.
Hartley - Celtic might need as many as eight
Discussing Celtic's transfer business this summer, Hartley said: "If Arne Engels goes, the middle of the park becomes important. "Callum McGregor’s had the burden for the last few years, having to do everything himself. Reo Hatate will go, you’d think. If they go, Celtic will be two short in there [midfield]."
He added: "If Alistair Johnston goes, they need a right back, as well as cover for Kieran Tierney. "Then there’s wide players where they are short – maybe it’s eight they still need! It’s not easy.
"You look at Scottish clubs in Europe, they are struggling. It’s because they need a bit more quality coming in. But it is down to quality. They’ve done that with the two new boys but it’s about filling the gaps with quality as well."
Celtic will be sweating over Champions League qualifiers
Celtic are yet to discover who they will play in the Champions League play-off round, with the draw being held on August 3. Given the poor recruitment this summer, O'Neill can be forgiven for feeling a little worried about that play-off, which is going to go a long way in defining how Celtic's season is viewed.
Lose that tie and the Bhoys fans are going to issue a giant 'I told you so' to the Celtic board over their poor recruitment, while qualification for the Champions League will vindicate, or at least cover for, some of the decisions made this summer.
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