Celtic’s current transfer window is starting to look eerily familiar – incoming movement needs to ramp up
Eric Knott 
Craig Foy - SNS Group/SNS Group/Getty Images
So far, it has been a pretty underwhelming transfer window for Celtic.
We know that outside of our two new Korean recruits, Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio, Maik Nawrocki is the only real Brendan Rodgers signing.
The other four were all recruited during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.
Rodgers ran the rule over them and accepted the recruitment process that was in place before his arrival.
But the question now is this, is the same sort of recruitment process still in place?
Since the turn of the year, we’ve lost five first team football players.
Those being Giakoumakis, Juranovic, Jota, Mooy and most recently, Carl Starfelt.
We have not replaced like for like.
Other than Nawrocki, who you could assume was brought in to replace Starfelt, the other four would have to be classed as project players.
Now don’t get me wrong, these players could all prove themselves over the course of the season.
But the fact is that they’re as yet unproven.
And that’s the problem.
Whatever way you cut it, we are weaker in the opening stages of this season than we were this time last year.
That’s a simple fact.
But what’s more concerning is that we don’t seem to be doing anything about it.
Every man and his dog knows we need a goalkeeper to challenge Joe Hart.
Hart is now prone to errors in every game he plays, which was clearly evident again on Saturday against Ross County.
Brendan Rodgers must be seeing what we the fans are seeing, he has to be concerned.
If we go into a Champions League campaign with Hart as our first choice keeper, we are asking for trouble.
So where’s the urgency with regard to fixing this problem?
Time is ticking away, there are only 3 weeks left in the transfer window.
So far, we have rumours surrounding Dominik Livaković, but nothing much else.
Oh Hyeon-gyu is now injured after injuring his calf.
He will be out for a few weeks at least.
This leaves us with one recognised striker in Kyogo Furuhashi, the only reliable backup he has is Daizen Maeda, who can slot into his position if required.
But then this deprives us of his services on the left side of our attack.
The only other striker we have as backup outside of that is Albian Ajeti.
Are you expecting a Lazarus-like resurrection of this man’s career with Celtic?
I don’t think so.
Do we need another striker?
I think we do.
Do we need another project?
Not if we have any serious aspirations in Europe this season.
Are we ready for the Champions League at this moment in time?
I would have to say no.
There are rumours that we are about to purchase Gustaf Lagerbielke from Elfsborg as a like for like replacement for Carl Starfelt.
Once again, this player is 23 years old, we don’t know a whole pile about him other than he is an exciting young prospect.
Does he fall under the remit of project?
Hard to know.
I suppose we could tell if we signed him.
But that’s the thing, we don’t seem to be showing any major ambition here to match the talk about our European aspirations.
This transfer window is taking on an eerily familiar feeling.
One like those we used to witness during Brendan Rodgers’ last tenure.
Maybe I’m completely wrong here, maybe there is major action with regard to transfers going on behind the scenes.
But the clock is ticking, the end of the transfer market is drawing closer and closer.
Add to that, do you think we won’t get any more bids for our top talent?
We all know the Celtic board is more than happy to accept huge bids for players, but they are far less inclined to spend big on replacements.
To sell another big name and further weaken the team, in my eyes, would be criminal.
It’s not inconceivable that it could happen.
Maybe I’m just getting tetchy at the lack of movement, but I can’t help it when you consider how swiftly things happened under Ange Postecoglou.
Why have things slowed down so much since Brendan Rodgers arrived?
These are all legitimate questions.
Are we going to see one or two big names coming through the door in the coming weeks?
Or are we just going to play Russian roulette on the final day of the transfer window, and hope for the best?
We’re either going to be blown away or completely underwhelmed.
I hope for the team’s sake, it’s the latter.
Otherwise we could be looking at a very humiliating European campaign.
Brendan Rodgers was brought in to change the perception people have of us in Europe.
The perception we are a walkover and easily beaten.
He has committed to changing that perception.
But he needs the tools required to achieve that.
As of now, a few essential ones are missing from the tool box.
That needs to change.
Get it done Celtic.
Let’s ramp it up.
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
Your completely right here… dithering is the word I’d use, the longer this ticks on I’d wonder if there is still the same friction between him and the board… as you says, why has it slowed down all of a sudden??? We knew starfelt was leaving from Saturday, we havent even made a bid yet for a replacement!!!
Anyone, like me, who mentions Peter Lawwell’s fingerprints are all over this gets completely shot down as a pessimist and impatient.
It is clear to anyone with eyesight that Hart is not good enough to be No 1 , the rest of the defence is deteriorating without Johnston and a partner for CCV, Jota has not been replaced, with Kane looking like he’s going to Munich which COULD see Kyogo being headhunted by the aussie. With Oh out for a few weeks who is our main striker?
Of course it couldn’t be PLs fault as he is just the chairman…he has a son who in all likelihood looks for advice from his father.
We could well be the richest CL team knocked out the earliest.
Any coincidence to the fact that Peter Lawell is back in the building. Michael Nicolson, Mark Lawell & Ange brought in players early and brought in the replacement before letting a player leave. Peter is back and this isn’t happening, we are dragging our feet over it seems a few hundred thousand for the Swedish boy when we have brought in £2 million more for Carl.
If Peter is interfeering then Michael has to put him in his place or get him the f*ck out the door!
Jas is absolutely spot on, Peter Lawwell is the man behind the return to the biscuit tin!
But Brendan Rodgers has obviously bought into this failure to invest. He has his lucrative contract, probably on the promise that he would ramp up shareholder profits by sparse recruitment. The fans are being had and it will show against Rangers and in Europe. Rodgers has no intention of spending serious money on much-needed quality players, he’s running the team on a wing and a prayer. It’s back to cheap young projects, I’m afraid, and Lawwell’s prints are all over it. Disgraceful!
One fit striker with 3 weeks to go of transfer window,and a possibility even he could be headhunted by Spurs.This could quickly become a shitshow.Managed decline roadshow back in town.It reeks of it.
I agree with all the above comments, Lawells up to his old tricks holding on to the money. One of the reasons Rogers left the last time was because the board would not support him on his transfers.I also agree with the comments on a new goalkeeper Hart is good but he makes to many mistakes.
Comments are honking and so is that “piece” transfers take weeks to sort to say the clubs doing nothing is a nonsense as for the Lawwell and biscuit tin comment’s get a grip of urselves ffs
Financially, celtic are in the best position they have ever been in yet here we are penny-pinching again! Unfortunately for us the team is obviously not the priority and the clear lack of any real ambition to take Celtic to the next level is there for everyone to see.
Does Rodgers push the board 3m. Swed defender
So the old “it must be Peter Lawell” paranoia resurfaces. Get a grip! Have a bit of faith – act like Celtic supporters, not the ‘other’ mob. We will be ready for Europe.
I would rather see our youngsters play 1st team than all these ‘Projects ‘We have to learn to trust our Own…but on this Subject fans have right to ask Why PL is back Obviously DD is happy to leave the running of the Club to him…But Fans need PL to speak to Us tell Us his Vision for the Club in Europe .
Don’t panic guys three weeks to go we will see at least three new boys in the door only one thing that worries me is turrnbull for hatatie no chance
If anyone thinks for a second that br did not seek assurances from dd that lawel would have no interference in his plans he would not be here. End of.
I don’t believe rodgers would have returned without a guarantee from the top men that lawell would have no say. Listening to what he said on his return about how he would prefer to develop young players as opposed to go out and spend big leads me to think he is scared to spend the money available to him because ange had such a good record in the transfer market and he knows he has made quite a few blunders in the market. Another point totally off topic but needs discussed is the number of hamstring rodgers teams had, celtic and leicester in his final season there they had more injuries than any other prem side. Ourselves there are too many to mention,but a big one was dembele for 6mths. there is clearly something their doing or not doing between games which is causing these. we have the same man as Head of Performance that Leicester and ourselves had before, Glen Driscoll. you can start the injury count now!
An earlier comment said Starfelts not been replaced, did you watch th game on Saturday? His replacement was on th pitch, n the backup will be in th door in th coming days! Ask anyone who’s watched Oz football n they’ll tell you Tillio is a great signing for Celtic. Lets not get our knickers in a twist jus yet, there’s three weeks of this window to go. If we’ve no new signings with a week to go, then i’ll accept its poor. But lets all jus calm the fek down.
There will be some new faces in before the window shuts don’t worry guys have faith
I could not understand why it was Peter Lawell who went on the pitch with James Forrest on flag day. I worry this bean counter is back in control. Will the same scenario play out again with Rodgers leaving in frustration again
Ok, what pish are you talking here….
‘Giakoumakis, Juranovic, Jota, Mooy and most recently, Carl Starfelt’
Not been replaced like for like?
In this order…..
Oh, Johnstone, Tillio, Holm, Maik.
Not to mention the 2 Korean boys who look flexible and can cover.
This is a weak piece of journalism, intended to be sway the minds because we haven’t made the ‘big’ signing that these forums have been promoting.
Aye, a new keeper, back up right back and a left footed CB should be priorities but to say we haven’t replaced the players who have left is rubbish, all have been equal if not better and Celtic will move on bigger and better as a result
Didn’t replace Juranovic ‘like for like’? Alastair Johnston is a Canadian International and would like a word.
Didn’t replace Giakomakis with ‘like for like’? So where did Oh come from?
And I’m pretty sure Odin and the other Korean lad (Kwon) were both brought in to strengthen the midfield after Mooy’s retirement. If you want to make the argument that they’re not good enough, that’s one thing. But they’ve brought in more players this window than have left, and Brendan clearly believes those brought in have a future at the club.
And I don’t foresee the club going out and getting another attacking forward simply because Oh has a 6 week injury (6 weeks puts his return the same week at CL matchday 1). For the front 3 attacking positions they already have: Forrest, Haksa, Maeda, Kyogo, Oh, Tilio, Abada, and Yang. That’s 8 players for 3 positions, and that assumes that Mikey Johnston and Ajeti won’t see a minute. Moving Maeda centrally isn’t a problem unless you think Tilio, Yang, Haksa, and Forrest aren’t up to the task and worthy of playing.
This whole narrative of PL causing problems with incoming transfers needs to end. There are more players at the club now than when he was officially appointed Chairman, and if rumours are to be believed another Swedish international will be in the door imminently with more than 3 weeks left in the transfer window. The squad is settled, playing well, and arguably even a little bit bloated.
Exit question: UEFA registration rules limit the number of non-homegrown players to 17. Who on the current squad is being left out? If you assume the new signings are locks to be included- they weren’t brought in to be squad filler – there are already some names who played pivotal roles in last year’s treble who aren’t going to make the list. That’s a fact. So who’s getting left out? And how many more of last year’s treble winners should be left out to make room for even more signings? Serious question…
They are all Celtic signings
Five players have left you said only starfelt has been replaced? Juronovic was replaced with Johnson and oh replaced gg. Mooy doesn’t need replaced as we are more than strong enough in that position. Jota hasn’t been replaced yet but he left 2 weeks ago give it time guys.
Are you trying to say Ali Johnston is a project ? He is far better than Juranovic ever was. Get a grip mate. The slowing down of other transfers has all the hallmarks of Liewwell’s involvement. Why did they ever bring him back to the club.
Eric Knott is not a Celtic supporter. Read Celtic are part of ReadEverything. They are an English based blogging outfit with mostly English based bloggers covering Aston Villa, Southampton etc. They publish click bait and negative Celtic pieces to wind us up. Like this https://readceltic.com/2022/10/25/figo-and-johnston-two-of-the-most-contentious-transfer-betrayals-in-football-with-some-big-differences/. Who wants to read about Judas? There’s many more from our Eric. Jota was a reserve 2 seasons ago. Let’s wait see what Brendan comes up with before we start with the 5 ways agreement managed decline hoax. Take a real look at the diddies old firm has bought. Would you rather do business like them? Starfelt was the weak link in that defence. Whenever properly tested in big games he fell short. CCV carried him even in spfl. Never good enough or tall enough for champs league. He was the perfect high energy, brave with blocking and tackling and a decent passer for Angeball which ran over teams in Scotland. Different story in Europe. Lagerbielke is already better equipped than Starfelt. An improvement and a couple of other improvements to come. Weaker than last season? Only if you use the £25m Jota hole as the only measure. Any team would take time and a lot of money to replace those skills. Our team as a whole will be a stronger and more disciplined in Europe with Abada chipping in with more goals than Jota from wide and Lagerbielte at 6”3 and two footed pinging balls to him and Maeda. Keep the faith watch for the fakes.
Couple of points for you Robert. Read Celtic is owned by Snack media, a company founded by a man named Joe Murphy, a Celtic supporter. I am Irish, based in Ireland and I’ve been a Celtic supporter for 40 years. Before you jump to conclusions, maybe ask a question first? I write my opinions, not everybody is going to agree with them, but the vast majority do. Outside of that, my articles cause debate, which is healthy. As for clickbait, there is very little money to be made doing this, I do it because I’m passionate about Celtic first and foremost. Everything else is secondary to that. Never judge a book by it’s cover.
Stay calm, squad being assessed by new management bearing in mind different style & tactical identity before we sign the players that will improve the team. All previous recruitment plans for this window ended when ange left.
This windows been dragging on only due to management change,.. nothing to do with p Lawell, do you really think Desmond would go all out for Rodgers with huge wages then scrap all the good work achieved last few seasons.,.relax
Robert Lennox is a hun from bridgeton and a member of the orange order. Not very bright robert are we pal? Daft huns trying to masquerade as Tim’s is very entertaining.
Don’t panic big Brenda is back and trying to have his old team back together aswell,trust me losing big ange and bringing in Brenda who’s absolutely cack in Europe,Liverpool was different with a 3/400million pound squad,I have to say that £30 million budget is pie in the fuckin sky,by the end of this years champion league visit you lot will take the worst ever title from your bitter rivals
Liam,
About your comments on Robert Lennox. Prove it or keep quiet ya dunce.
Now now Billy boy no need to get your knickers in a twist just because your mate robert from the lodge was rumbled! Look billy i know things are tough down sevco way at the moment and its no fun being a hun. You all fell big time for the stories about how micky could lay down cones and hand out bibs like no other coach on the planet! But do you honeslty think that by constanly reading celtic blogs and commenting on them is going to ease your pain? Unless, which i suspect,v you have a soft spot for the hoops? Your more than welcome to leave the dark side billy and support scotlands biggest club. Its much brighter over here, especially with all these big silver shiny things called trophies! Your welcome to join him scotty lad.