CELTIC are still the only club in the Premiership NOT to sign a player as the champions prepare for the new season.
At the conclusion of the previous double-winning campaign, it was clear the Hoops required a monumental overhaul in the squad.
It’s obvious to all that Martin O’Neill urgently needs quality additions to his player pool with a goalkeeper a priority after the enforced retirement of Kasper Schmeichel in the second half of the term.
Other positions are screaming out to be strengthened, but, alarmingly, there has been no new recruits welcomed to Parkhead so far while other teams work feverishly in the market place.
Last season’s runners-up Hearts have added NINE players to their squad while Aberdeen and Falkirk have brought in eight apiece.
And so the list goes on down to Dundee who have introduced two new faces – which is two more than Scotland’s title kings.
A BIG HAND…Kasper Schmeichel acclaims the Celtic fans.
Looking at the situation, former Hoops goal hero Chris Sutton, currently working in the media at the World Cup Finals, said: “It’s less than a month until the competitive action gets underway and, given what unfolded last season, it almost beggars belief that Celtic have not been more active to this point.
“Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t shock me because, let’s be honest, it’s been happening for years and nothing seems to change. “I don’t know what Martin O’Neill is thinking at the moment about the recruitment work, but I do know he needs bodies with quality and plenty of them.
“As has been discussed many times, he had to add anyway and that was even before main men start walking out of the door, which looks destined to happen.
“Top of that cast list is Daizen Maeda. I’ve been able to see him play over here during the catalogue of matches I have covered.
“It’s been obvious for a while that he looks like going having been denied a move this time last year and he’s done nothing to damage his reputation at the World Cup.
“Not many boys manage to score in one of these competitions, never mind two. So the fact Maeda added to his strike in Qatar with his effort against Sweden last weekend enhances his reputation and it was a goal right out of his playbook.
“Rapid movement away from a defender from out to in to meet a through pass and finish was typical of the Japanese.”
HAIL, HAIL…Daizen Maeda accepts the applause from his Celtic team-mates and supporters after another excellent performance.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It seems to me it’s now really all about what fee Celtic are going to get for him as opposed to any chance of him hanging around.
“The last 32 loss to Brazil for his team which I witnessed would have been a sore one and I saw some of his comments after the match about needing to improve his levels.
“I don’t know what the exact message was, but, put it this way, I doubt he’ll be doing his next work at Celtic.
“Benjamin Nygren did not have quite the same impact for Sweden, despite a flying start to the competition when he played his part in the thumping of Tunisia.
“He’s neat and tidy, but several of his team-mates showed more dynamism and he lost his starting place after the thumping from Netherlands. His country’s last 32 exit at the hands of France should ensure he is back in good time for the domestic campaign.
“Nygren has his failings, he’s not perfect, but 21 goals from a midfield player in the first season at any new club was a terrific return.
“It has attracted some interest, but my gut feeling is he’ll stay, especially if Arne Engels and Reo Hatate depart the midfield scene, which at this stage seems highly plausible.”
ON THE RUN…Alistair Johnston leaves Motherwell’s Emanuel Longelo trailing during Celtic’s crucial 3-2 win at Fir Park in May.
Reacting to transfer speculation, Sutton added: “Alistair Johnston is one that fascinates me when it comes to whether or not Celtic get a big offer in this window.
“In many ways, having been signed by Ange Postecoglou during the last World Cup, he’s served his time and should not be denied a chance to go if the right package is put onto the Parkhead table having been there for three-and-a-half years.
“But, at the same time, Johnston looks settled and, if I’m Celtic, I’d be doing absolutely everything to make sure he’s perfectly happy where he is and he goes nowhere.
“No harm to Anthony Ralston, Colby Donovan or even Julian Araujo, but none of them came close to giving the team what Johnston does during the Canadian’s injury absence last season.
“The difference when he came back for the final few games was obvious.
“Johnston’s got so many attributes. He covers ground, he defends strongly, he’s good in the one-on-one duels, he seems an excellent character for a dressing room and he also has an ability make things happen in the opposition half.”
The fans’ favourite goes back into the spotlight when co-hosts Canada take on Morocco tomorrow night.
Talent scouts worldwide will be watching.
That could present Celtic with another problem.
