Sørensen, Mheuka, Lotomba and Devenny – Why Is Celtic’s Big Summer Window Turning Into A Loan Shopping Spree?

I’ll say first that I’ve got absolutely nothing against loan signings.

They can work. Celtic have benefited from some excellent ones over the years, and if the right player becomes available because his parent club simply won’t sell him, you’d be daft not to consider it.

But when seemingly every second Celtic link suddenly comes with the word “loan” attached, I start asking questions.

Oliver Sørensen looks closest. Italian reporting says the Parma midfielder’s move is effectively agreed as a season-long loan with an option to buy, with medical checks already underway.

I actually like the player. I like the profile. My problem is why Celtic, with the financial position we continually hear about, are borrowing a player Parma themselves only bought last summer.

Then there’s Shim Mheuka.

The 18-year-old Chelsea striker is reportedly undergoing a medical in London ahead of a Celtic loan. He’s clearly highly rated — 18 goals in 19 Premier League 2 appearances last season tells you there’s talent there — and Chelsea recently worked to secure his long-term future before sending him elsewhere for first-team experience.

Again, potentially a cracking young player.

But who benefits most if he absolutely flies at Celtic?

Chelsea.

Then we’ve got Jordan Lotomba. Celtic have reportedly spoken with Feyenoord regarding the 27-year-old Swiss full-back, with a loan being explored as he enters the final year of his contract.

Sam Johnstone has emerged as an alternative goalkeeper target as Celtic continue trying to add competition for Viljami Sinisalo.

Current reporting has Celtic in discussions regarding the Wolves goalkeeper, although the precise structure isn’t as firmly established as some of these other loan stories.

Currently he is the 4th choice at Wolves and I fear is signing will be derided by many before he has picked up his gloves.

And now add Justin Devenny.

Only yesterday Celtic were being linked with a permanent move for the Crystal Palace and Northern Ireland midfielder, reportedly valued around £6million. Today? Reports say Celtic have made a loan bid, while Palace would prefer to sell.

That’s where this starts feeling seriously underwhelming.

Sørensen. Mheuka. Lotomba. Devenny. Potentially other short-term solutions as Thursday’s Scottish deadline approaches.

What are we building here?

Because Celtic aren’t some skint football club desperately trying to cobble together a squad.

The summer actually started promisingly. There were permanent signings and the suggestion Celtic might finally be building something rather than simply patching holes.

The links of Sigur, Gineitis and Mahmic had all supporters properly excited as to what this new Celtic side would look like.

Yet the closer we’ve got to the deadline — and particularly after Champions League elimination — the more this is starting to look like another exercise in getting through the season.

That’s precisely what I don’t want.

Celtic have another competitive domestic campaign ahead of them. More importantly for me, we’re now in the Europa League.

I’ve talked repeatedly about the fact Celtic haven’t won a European knockout tie since Martin O’Neill’s first spell.

Twenty-one years.

So what’s the ambition now?

Are we going into the Europa League determined to finally change that? Are we building a squad capable of making a proper dent in the competition?

Or are we applying another collection of plasters, hoping it’s enough domestically and seeing what happens in Europe?

There’s an important distinction here. Sørensen having an option to buy makes that deal considerably more attractive to me. If he excels and Celtic control what happens next, brilliant.

But developing Chelsea’s striker for a season, borrowing a full-back because we’ve left ourselves needing cover and potentially turning a £6million permanent midfield target into another loan doesn’t exactly scream long-term planning.

Loans should complement your squad.

They shouldn’t become your squad-building strategy.

If Celtic finish this window with two or three quality permanent additions alongside one clever loan, I’ll judge the window accordingly.

But if the final days become a trolley dash around Europe’s loan market after another Champions League qualifying catastrophe, I’m afraid it’ll tell me something completely different.

It’ll tell me Celtic still aren’t building for where we could go.

We’re patching things up for another season and hoping it’ll be enough.

We will of reverted to type in the one Window that Wilson begged for the chance to show there would be change.

Balance sheets before team sheets – it was ever thus.

Keep Your Eyes On The Board.