Celtic’s Transfer Farce Rolls Into Another Season

The Scottish Premiership season begins next Friday. Celtic will start their own campaign on Monday. Yet, with barely any time left before competitive football returns, the Scottish champions have managed to produce exactly one first-team signing.

At this stage, you almost have to admire the consistency.

Every transfer window follows the same familiar script. Supporters are told that work continues behind the scenes. The board apparently have several plates spinning. Meanwhile, the season approaches and the squad remains unfinished.

CELTIC’S TITANIC TRANSFER STRUGGLE

Perhaps Michael Nicholson is locked inside Celtic Park, engaged in a titanic struggle with football agents.

Maybe negotiations have become so intense that nobody can find the key. Perhaps he has spent three weeks trying to persuade one agent that Glasgow has electricity, running water and several perfectly acceptable restaurants.

The way Celtic conduct transfer business, you would think they were asking players to relocate to a remote settlement beyond civilisation.

“You’ll play in front of 60,000 supporters, challenge for trophies and compete in the Champions League.”

“Yes, Michael, but does Glasgow have Wi-Fi?”

Somehow, other clubs identify players, agree fees and announce signings. Celtic make every deal look like an international peace summit.

CAN NICHOLSON ATTRACT ANYONE?

The serious question beneath the comedy remains obvious. Can Michael Nicholson actually convince quality players to join Celtic?

As soon as an English club enters the race, Celtic often appear to retreat. A Championship side suddenly becomes a financial powerhouse. A Premier League club battling relegation transforms into football’s answer to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Celtic, one of Britain’s biggest clubs, seem to shrug their shoulders and move on to the next target.

Champions League football. Sell-out crowds. Trophy after trophy. A worldwide support.

Surely that should still count for something.

WILL THE BOARD EVER LEARN?

There is still time to complete deals.

Unfortunately, Celtic supporters hear those four words every single summer.

“There is plenty of time.”

Until suddenly there isn’t.

Then comes the inevitable explanation that the market was difficult, value could not be found and patience was required.

The cycle begins all over again.

The Scottish Premiership starts next Friday. Celtic begin on Monday. This should be a week filled with anticipation and excitement.

Instead, supporters are wondering whether Michael Nicholson has escaped his meeting with the agents, whether anyone has informed prospective signings that Glasgow isn’t an unexplored wilderness, and whether signing players before the season starts is considered too radical an idea inside the Celtic boardroom.

Perhaps this will be the summer they finally prove everyone wrong.

History, unfortunately, isn’t on their side.