Celtic’s Biggest Problem Was Never Money – Kasper Høgh Deal Proves Us Right

Kasper Høgh looks set to become Celtic’s record signing, and if the deal gets over the line, I’ll be one of the first applauding it.

This is exactly the kind of ambition supporters have been crying out for. A proven striker, a significant investment and a statement that Celtic are serious about strengthening Martin O’Neill’s squad.

I’m repeating myself on that so let me flip it and look at it from a different angle.

I keep coming back to a different question in my head.

Why has it taken so long for this transfer window to come alive?

That’s the real story.

For weeks, this window felt like it was stuck in first gear. Celtic watched players leave, supporters grew increasingly frustrated, and negotiations seemed to drag on endlessly.

Mika Baur has become the perfect example!

Every update has suggested progress, yet the deal still hasn’t crossed the finish line.

Hassan has followed a similar pattern. There has been movement, then silence, then movement again.

Let’s be real, no one has a scooby about what the score is there.

Weirdly, I do not believe anyone has a scooby whether he is the real deal or not.

Anyway, the squad needed strengthening.

Høgh emerged as a genuine club-record signing. Hassan suddenly looked much closer. Baur remained active. It finally feels as though Celtic are attacking the transfer market rather than cautiously dipping their toes into it.

Which leads me back to the same opinion I have always had.

Celtic’s biggest problem was never money, pure incompetence.

Timing as Brendan so candidly spoke of too, is huge here.

For years, supporters have been told Celtic have to be sensible. That every million pounds matters. That negotiations take time because the club simply can’t afford to get things wrong.

Nobody disputes the need to be responsible.

But if Celtic are capable of putting together an £11 million package for Høgh, then it’s fair to ask why smaller deals have repeatedly become drawn-out sagas.

And why we do not see more £11m+ deals being done regularly.

The resources were always there when the right opportunity presented itself, so why has the club developed a reputation for allowing transfer windows to drift before finally accelerating?

That’s the question supporters deserve answered.

Now, here’s where I want to introduce a phrase I think perfectly sums up what we’ve witnessed.

Ultimado.

Every Celtic supporter remembers Brendan Rodgers’ famous “terminado” moment. It became symbolic of a manager reaching the point where he felt something had to change.

It was used against him after resignation #1.

I think Martin O’Neill has reached his own version.

Not because he’s publicly issued an ultimatum.

Not because we know what has or hasn’t been said behind closed doors.

But because the circumstances have created what I call Ultimado.

It’s the point where the football club itself realises it has no option but to act.

I could be wrong, but my belief is Martin O’Neill has made a move.

Take from that what you will.

Whether it comes through growing supporter frustration, increasing pressure on the manager or simply the realisation that another slow transfer window is unacceptable, the outcome is the same.

The board responded.

Looking at the timeline, it’s difficult not to notice it.

Questions began growing around the pace of recruitment. Frustration became louder finally.

Rumours surrounding Martin’s future only heightened the sense that the club couldn’t allow uncertainty to continue.

Then suddenly, momentum arrived.

Coincidence?

No chance, you know where I stand.

Celtic recognised they couldn’t afford another situation where a manager felt unsupported during one of the most important windows in recent years.

We’ll probably never know the real truth but my opinion and reasoning behind this is strong and remains so.

But what we do know is this – the urgency we’re now seeing should have been there from the beginning.

That’s why this isn’t really an article about Høgh.

I think he’ll be an outstanding signing.

It’s not really about Baur or Hassan either.

It’s about the way Celtic operate.

The club shouldn’t need pressure before becoming decisive.

It shouldn’t take weeks of uncertainty before supporters finally feel optimistic.

The best-run football clubs don’t wait for the atmosphere to become uncomfortable before acting. They create momentum from day one.

Pro-active not reactive.

That’s the standard Celtic should be aiming for.

If Høgh signs, if Hassan follows and if Baur eventually arrives, this could still become an excellent transfer window.

I’ll happily say that.

But it won’t change the question that has lingered throughout the summer.

Why did it take so long?

Because from where I’m sitting, Celtic’s biggest problem was never finding the money.

It was finding the urgency.

Learn from your f**king mistakes.

And if this really has been Martin O’Neill’s Ultimado, then perhaps that’s the lesson the club needed to learn more than any other.

Keep Your Eyes On The Board.