Celtic Couldn’t Keep Two Players Who Were Desperate to Stay — That Should Terrify Supporters

Michael Nicholson told Celtic supporters that the easiest deals to complete are players who are out of contract.

Well, Kelechi Iheanacho was out of contract.

He knew the manager.

He knew the players.

He knew the club.

In fact, he was already sitting in the building at Celtic.

If I wasn’t so pissed off, I would laugh at how ridiculous it all is.

How much easier did Nicholson need this one to be?

Celtic held an option to extend Iheanacho’s contract for another season. There was no transfer fee to negotiate and no scouting needed. All the club had to do was trigger the extension and the striker was in the door for another year.

They allowed that option to expire. Celtic’s choice.

Once Celtic surrendered control of the situation, Iheanacho was perfectly entitled to protect his own interests. Why should a 29-year-old player accept another short-term arrangement after the club had already decided against guaranteeing him that extra season?

From his perspective, asking for greater security in terms of contract duration was entirely his gift!

You didn’t want to commit to me for one year when the decision was yours?

Okay, Michael.

Now I want a fresh deal on my terms.

That is how negotiations work when you voluntarily throw away your strongest bargaining position.

Celtic reportedly returned with a two-year proposal, while Turkish side Bursaspor are said to have offered Iheanacho a three-year agreement. The striker has now agreed terms with the Turkish club, although Celtic have yet to announce anything formally regarding his future.

O’Neill confirmed we were in the mix for him. He SURELY must be pulling whats left of his hair out at this situation. It is embarrassing for him and the Club!

And here is the bit that should embarrass everyone responsible for recruitment at Celtic.

Bursaspor play in the Turkish second tier.

Not a Galatasaray or a Fenerbahce

Bursaspor.

A second-division club has apparently offered a deal attractive enough to take a proven international striker away from the Scottish champions.

So what happened to all the explanations about Celtic struggling to compete with the English Premier League?

What happened to the Championship clubs supposedly blowing us out of the water?

We have now reached the point where supporters are joking that Celtic cannot compete with the wages available in the Turkish second division.

One viewer commented on my channel:

“We can’t compete when it comes to wages with Turkish League Two clubs.”

It was funny.

Then I thought about it.

That comment is the conditioning I have spoken about for years, unfolding right in front of us.

Supporters have been fed so many excuses about markets, salaries and financial limitations that some now genuinely believe Celtic cannot compete with second-tier teams from countries such as Turkey.

THIS IS MADNESS!

A club with enormous cash reserves, regular European income, a packed stadium, worldwide support and one of the strongest commercial operations it has ever had.

This is managed decline dressed up as financial responsibility.

Nicholson’s explanation about free agents being easier to recruit now looks even more ridiculous as well doesn’t it.

Embarassing.

Iheanacho was the easiest possible example: an out-of-contract player who had already won trophies with Celtic, understood the environment and had publicly been wanted back by Martin O’Neill.

If Celtic cannot complete that deal, what exactly constitutes an easy signing Michael?

Does the player need to arrive at Lennoxtown carrying his own contract and a pen?

Iheanacho’s contribution last season should not be dismissed either.

This was not some ageing passenger Celtic were attempting to move quietly out of the door.

This was a player who helped rescue the club’s season.

And his reported response to a supporter after the move broke is far more damaging than any transfer rumour:

“I can’t go back to where I’m not wanted.”

That line should travel directly into the boardroom and slap them across the face.

Two Players Wanted Celtic — Celtic Wanted Neither Enough

As if losing Iheanacho under these circumstances was not bad enough, Marcelo Saracchi has now confirmed that he will not be returning either.

Saracchi’s farewell message was gracious, but beneath the thank-yous sat another damning sentence:

“My agent and I did absolutely everything.”

He described himself as “truly gutted” that a permanent return couldn’t be done.

Once again, what more did Celtic need?

Boca Juniors were reportedly prepared to sell him for a fee around £1.3 million.

Not £13 million.

Approximately £1.3 million.

So, on the same day, Celtic supporters have effectively been told that two players who contributed to last season’s success will not return.

One was available for nothing.

The other for a cut-price fee.

What is going on at our Club?

This is not Celtic failing to convince ambitious prospects from elite European clubs.

This is Celtic failing to retain players who had already chosen Celtic.

There is a massive difference.

The mood music from both men is unmistakable.

Iheanacho says he cannot return somewhere he is not wanted.

Saracchi says he and his agent did everything possible.

Neither statement portrays Celtic as decisive, organised or particularly interested.

More concerningly for the board, I suspect Iheanacho may not remain silent.

His message already suggests a player who feels personally rejected. Should he speak openly in the media about how Celtic handled his contract, the damage could stretch beyond losing one striker.

Players, agents, and CEO’s all talk Michael!

Potential signings pay attention to how clubs treat those already inside the building.

The board may discover that the words of Iheanacho and Saracchi haunt them for considerably longer than their absence from the squad.

We have missed out on TWO shooty-ins in the one day.

So, Michael, I have to ask:

If these were the easy deals, what chance do Celtic have of completing the difficult ones?

Keep Your Eyes On The Board.