Is the Sleeping Giant Finally Awakening?

For too long, Celtic have looked like a club reluctant to use the financial strength they have built.

Every transfer window has followed a familiar pattern. Supporters wait. Negotiations drag on. Players leave. Meanwhile, the bank balance continues to grow.

Now, for the first time this summer, there are signs that something may finally be changing.

Signs of Celtic ambition

The potential arrivals of Kasper Høgh, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur have created genuine excitement among supporters.

These are the type of signings fans expect Scotland’s richest club to pursue. Celtic should be flexing their financial muscles, strengthening decisively and building a squad capable of competing in Europe.

The mood around Celtic can change quickly. Three ambitious additions would lift the atmosphere, energise the support and give Martin O’Neill greater options.

Success breeds optimism. Optimism spreads through a football club. Players feel it, supporters believe again and expectations rise.

That is exactly where Celtic should be.

Has the sleeping giant awakened?

The question is whether the sleeping giant is finally awakening or whether this is another false dawn.

Celtic have spent too many windows acting like a wealthy man arguing over the price of a carrier bag. Every deal becomes a saga. Every negotiation appears to require several meetings, a calculator and permission from a committee trapped somewhere in 2005.

If the new signings arrive, the board deserves credit for completing them. However, this should happen during every window.

Supporters should not treat proper recruitment as an unexpected luxury.

After the sales of Daizen Maeda, Maik Nawrocki, Luis Palma and Hayato Inamura, Celtic have brought significant money back into the club. Camilo Duran remains the only confirmed arrival so far.

Even if Høgh signs, Celtic will not exactly have emptied the vault.

The board still faces serious questions

A strong finish to the window cannot erase years of frustration.

The current board appears outdated and stuck in the past. Celtic have enormous resources, European ambitions and a worldwide support, yet recruitment often remains painfully slow.

Well-run clubs plan early. They identify targets months in advance and complete deals before the season begins.

Celtic too often wait until the alarm is ringing before searching for the fire extinguisher.

Høgh, Hassan and Mika Baur would provide a huge boost. They could strengthen the team and transform the mood around Celtic Park.

However, this squad should have been assembled at the beginning of the window.

Perhaps the giant is finally waking up. Perhaps Celtic are preparing to act like the powerful club they should be.

Or perhaps supporters are watching another temporary burst of activity before the old habits return.

Whatever happens, change at the top remains essential. Celtic may strengthen the squad, but they also need fresh leadership, modern thinking and a board capable of matching the ambition of the support.