Celtic Are Better, Stronger and Faster But They've Gambled Again.

There’s something slightly strange about assessing Celtic’s transfer business this summer.

On one hand, I think the club deserve credit. I’ve criticised this board plenty over the years, and I’m certainly not going to pretend otherwise now.

But criticism shouldn’t become an agenda.

When Celtic do something well, I’ll say they’ve done it well.

And this summer, there has undoubtedly been progress.

The arrival of Kasper Høgh gives Celtic a striker with genuine European pedigree. Camilo Durán brings another player accustomed to operating at a good level, while Mika Baur looks like another potentially exciting addition. Haissem Hassan arrives on the back of an electric World Cup.

Celtic have gone for quality rather than simply throwing bodies through the door.

That’s encouraging.

But here’s the problem.

We are now at the Champions League play-off. This is where Celtic have repeatedly told us they want to be. This is the level against which the club should ultimately be measured.

So look beyond the strongest XI and ask one simple question:

Are Celtic actually Champions League ready?

Take the goalkeeper situation. Sinisalo has done well and I like him. But if Celtic genuinely viewed him as Kasper Schmeichel’s long-term understudy when he arrived, his elevation to undisputed number one has happened remarkably quickly.

Behind him is Ross Doohan, whose senior experience has predominantly been at Scottish domestic level.

That isn’t an attack on either player. It’s simply asking whether the department has the depth you’d expect from a club preparing for the Champions League.

Then there’s left-back.

Everyone knows Kieran Tierney’s situation. He remains an outstanding footballer, but Celtic cannot build a season around the assumption that he plays every minute of every game.

If Tierney needs to come off against LASK, what happens?

Liam Scales moves across? Colby Donovan switches sides with Anthony Ralston coming on?

Those might be perfectly acceptable emergency solutions during a domestic game. Celtic should surely have something more concrete in place before a tie worth a place among Europe’s elite.

And this isn’t something we’ve suddenly discovered.

The midfield perhaps demonstrates the gamble better than anywhere else.

Arne Engels has gone. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unavailable through suspension, leaving Martin O’Neill with a fascinating decision.

Reo Hatate appeared to be heading towards the exit and has barely featured. Mika Baur has only just arrived. Luke McCowan is an option, but asking him to suddenly become the answer in a Champions League play-off is another considerable leap.

Celtic have strengthened their midfield while somehow arriving at arguably their biggest game of the season wondering who actually starts in it.

That feels very Celtic.

The frustrating thing is that I genuinely believe this team is better than last year’s.

Høgh changes the dynamic completely. He occupies centre-backs, creates space around him and carries a reputation earned through scoring goals in European competition.

Celtic also look more dangerous.

We played 180 minutes plus extra-time against Kairat Almaty last season and didn’t score a single goal.

I’m telling you right now – I don’t see that happening this time.

This Celtic side will score goals.

The Dundee United game was actually a useful warning, though. Celtic were dangerous going forward, but United struck the woodwork five times.

Give LASK that number of opportunities and I wouldn’t fancy our chances of escaping without punishment.

That’s why this tie is such a fascinating test.

LASK aren’t arriving at Celtic Park simply delighted to be here.

They’re Austrian champions after winning their first league title since 1965. They’re already into their domestic season, they’re scoring goals and they’re carrying the confidence of a club experiencing something special.

The pressure isn’t on them.

It’s entirely on Celtic.

And particularly, whether they like it or not, on the board.

If Celtic navigate this tie, the summer suddenly looks considerably better.

Get into the Champions League and continue strengthening before the window closes and perhaps we can finally say lessons have been learned.

Fail again, however, and the questions become brutal.

Because Celtic cannot continually arrive at Champions League qualifiers almost ready.

Almost having enough depth.

Nearly completing the squad.

Working tirelessly in the background on getting the required business done.

There has been progress this summer. I won’t deny that simply because it doesn’t fit a narrative.