CELTIC'S TRANSFER STRATEGY: ONE PLAYER IN THIS WEEK, BUT WE NEED MORE
- By LIAM McBRIDE
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
ACSOM's Liam McBride is unimpressed with Celtic's transfer dealings so far this month.
*Editors note: This article was written before the official announcement of Tomas Cvancara signing on loan until the summer, but I think the point still stands.
Celtic are “monitoring”, Celtic are “keeping a tab”, Celtic are “exploring the possibility of…”. How many phrases have been tirelessly trotted out during the so far disastrous January window of 2026?
Celtic's Transfer Strategy: Do We Even Have One?
It’s reminiscent of last summer, when Celtic let Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah leave, only to bring in Shin Yamada, two left wingers in Sebastien Tounekti and Michel Ange Balikwisha plus Kelechi Iheancho on a free deal. Unsurprisingly, the Nigerian has continued to struggle with fitness after similar issues at Sevilla and Middlesbrough.
It’s reminiscent of last January when Kyogo left unreplaced.
In truth, it’s reminiscent of many windows under this current board, so don’t be fooled into believing this is solely the consequence of unforeseen circumstances.
January is a hard window to buy. Apparently.
Unless you are Hearts, who have already made two signings, with right-winger Islam Chesnokov moving from Tobol Kostanay and right back Jordi Atleni coming from RKC Waalwijk for a fee of £1 million. Or Rangers, who have already spent £7 million on Club Brugge’s Tochi Chukwauni and KVC Westerlo’s Tuur Rommens. Andres Skov Olsen has also joined on loan from Wolfsburg.
In the meantime, the Hoops have recruited right back Julian Araujo on a loan till the end of the season from Bournemouth but have yet to bolster a threadbare front line and bring in a required centre back.
The board is acting with the complacency of a team that is comfortably ahead at the top of the table and aiming to cruise to the finish line. Of course, this has been the case for many years, which is why similar behavior has been accepted.
Yet, six points behind Hearts, and a week before a visit to the capital, the Celtic team are simply unprepared.
Martin O’Neill joked that he hopes to get signings in by the “end of the season”. Based on previous windows, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
With domestic silverware to show, the board has for years defended its so-called “model”. They point to the upwards of £70 million in the bank and years of domestic dominance. Just this September, they stated “throwing money around” is “not a sustainable route to success.” They cited an adherence to UEFA’s financial regulations, highlighting that cash reserves are “not relevant” in recruitment.
That being the case, you wonder what the cash reserves are for.
They added,
“We can never compromise the financial integrity of the club.”
It’s always a great vote of self-confidence to use potential liquidity as a justification to cease operation.
For a while, I just disagreed with the board's way of acting. I genuinely believed that they felt their negative way of operating could bring domestic success while also suiting them on a personal level.
Yet, I’ve grown to realize, this isn’t just a self-serving hierarchy; this is one of incompetence.
The harsh truth about Celtic's transfer strategy is that we don't appear to have one.
Much of the money in the bank isn’t due to their so-called “strategy”. Much of Celtic’s money has come from Champions League campaigns, which we didn’t need to qualify for. It has come from big-money deals for Jota, Nicolas Kuhn and Matt O’Riley, only one of which was signed under the current footballing regime.
Yet, no matter how determined the current Celtic board is to back their “model” and way of working, I don’t believe they are entirely happy with the current window. Make no mistake, the PR disaster that the football club has been in this season, they will be embarrassed and trying to find short-term resolutions. However, even that seems too much to ask.
So, let’s take a look at the current state of play. In terms of incoming news…Well.
None of the reliable Scottish football sources has reported anything concrete. Don’t act surprised.
Regarding potential outcomings, RB Leipzig are reportedly interested in Arne Engels’ services but only if a move for Rocco Reitz doesn’t work out. The Belgians' time at Celtic has been mixed and while a potential big-money move in normal circumstances would normally make sense, weakening the squad right now cannot be entertained.
So, ahead of a season-defining week at Celtic, you can only hope. Recruitments simply must happen; otherwise, it will be a tall order to defend the league title.
