Sunday Review: Celtic Almost Over The Line For Høgh… But More Signings Like This Are Needed

Another week has passed and, at long last, there is genuine movement in Celtic’s transfer window.

Celtic appear to be on the verge of completing the signing of Kasper Høgh after agreeing a transfer fee, with the striker now over for a medical. Assuming everything goes to plan, it will be a positive piece of business.

At the same time, one chapter has officially closed. Daizen Maeda has completed his move to Ipswich Town, bringing an end to a hugely successful spell in Glasgow.

Supporters will rightly thank Maeda for everything he gave to Celtic. His relentless pressing, incredible work rate and ability to deliver in the biggest moments made him one of the club’s most important players.

Now the challenge for Celtic is obvious. Replacing him cannot be left to one signing alone.

Høgh Is Exactly The Type Of Signing Celtic Need

Credit has to be given where it is deserved.

If the deal is completed, Celtic deserve praise for identifying a player with the right profile. Høgh is young, ambitious and looks capable of improving while increasing his value. Those are exactly the type of players Celtic should be targeting.

The frustration has never been about the player.

It has been about the speed of the process. This deal could have been completed much earlier, giving Høgh a full pre-season and valuable time to settle into Martin O’Neill’s squad before competitive football begins.

Replacing Maeda Is Now The Priority

Daizen Maeda’s departure leaves a massive hole in this Celtic squad.

His pace, goals, pressing and relentless desire to work for the team made him unique. Finding one player capable of replacing everything he offered will be extremely difficult.

That is why Høgh cannot be the end of Celtic’s transfer business.

The squad now needs more quality, more depth and more players capable of making an immediate impact.

Duran Has Given Everyone Real Optimism

If there has been one standout positive from pre-season, it has been Duran.

Goals, assists and fearless performances suggest Celtic have another exciting attacking talent ready to contribute this season.

He has earned his opportunity, but asking one young player to compensate for Maeda’s departure would be unfair. He needs experienced quality alongside him.

One Week To Go

One week tomorrow, Celtic begin their Premiership campaign against Dundee.

The Høgh deal looks like excellent business and deserves recognition. It is the type of signing supporters have been asking for.

But Celtic cannot stop there.

Maeda has gone. His quality has gone with him. The squad is not stronger today than it was a week ago.

The club must now build on the Høgh deal with three or four more signings of similar quality before the transfer window closes.

There is finally momentum.

Now Celtic must prove this is only the beginning, not the end.