Celtic transfer shambles exposed as Gineitis and Sigur threaten to slip away

Celtic transfer strategy is once again being exposed at the worst possible time.

Following the Champions League exit against LASK, two players the club have pursued could now be heading elsewhere.

The Daily Record reports that Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis is increasingly unlikely to join Celtic.

Italian reports claim the proposed move is now “unlikely to materialise” after Celtic dropped out of the Champions League, with RB Salzburg appearing better positioned to sign the Lithuania international.

That should infuriate supporters.

Celtic transfer strategy has left it too late

Torino reportedly want around £9million for Gineitis. Celtic have just received £22million from West Ham for Arne Engels.

Why was a replacement not secured before one of the most important European ties of the season?

It gets worse.

Long-term Celtic target Niko Sigur could also be slipping away.

The Daily Record reports that Genk have met Hajduk Split’s reported £3.4million asking price, with the Canadian international expected to leave before the transfer window closes.

Celtic have monitored Sigur for months. This was hardly a player who suddenly appeared on a scouting report this week.

That makes the situation even more unacceptable.

Martin O’Neill acknowledged after the LASK defeat that some potential signings could have been attracted by Champions League football.

That is precisely why Celtic needed to get their business done before the play-off.

Celtic now face another deadline scramble

Instead, the board gambled.

They went into a crucial European tie without completing the squad, lost the Champions League opportunity and may now find their preferred targets choosing clubs elsewhere.

Celtic now have just seven days before the Europa League squad registration deadline.

Seven days.

After an entire summer, the club are once again approaching September with major work still required.

Supporters will now understandably fear the usual late-window scramble: preferred targets disappear, permanent deals become harder and loan moves suddenly become the answer.

There is nothing wrong with a good loan signing. There is plenty wrong when loans become necessary because your recruitment operation has wasted months.

Celtic had money. They knew which positions needed strengthened. They knew when the European qualifiers were being played.

If Gineitis and Sigur both end up elsewhere, nobody inside Celtic should call it bad luck.

It would be the predictable consequence of an utterly unacceptable transfer strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Gvidas Gineitis is now reported to be unlikely to join Celtic.
• Genk have reportedly met Hajduk Split’s asking price for Niko Sigur.
• Celtic are paying the price for failing to strengthen before the Champions League play-off.
• The club now face another frantic final week of recruitment.
• Supporters could once again see loan deals used to repair poor summer planning.