Celtic’s boardroom has come under fire from fan groups after the club signed just one new player for the season while losing Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi. The criticism follows comments from chief executive Michael Nicholson, who blamed agents and competition from English clubs for the transfer struggles.

What did the fan groups say?

The Celtic Supporters Association (CSA) and Celtic Trust have slammed the club’s executive team and major shareholder Dermot Desmond in scathing statements. They argue the current squad falls short of what’s needed to compete domestically and in Europe, pointing to the league title secured against Hearts over two months ago. Yet only Camilo Duran has joined, while Iheanacho and Saracchi left despite manager Wilfried Nancy’s public backing for them to stay.

The groups also hit out at Nicholson’s recent remarks, where he cited agents’ fees, the financial power of the Premier League, and even Glasgow’s competition as reasons for the transfer failures. They called his comments a sign of an executive team unable to handle modern transfer challenges.

Why does this matter for Celtic?

Celtic sit third in the Premiership with 67 points from 33 games, three behind Hearts, and have conceded 35 goals this season. Their recent form stands at four wins and one loss in the last five matches, most recently a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP on 14 July 2026. The fan groups argue the club’s transfer business has been chaotic, echoing last season’s shambolic campaign that ended in a Champions League exit and a near-title surrender to Hearts.

The CSA and Celtic Trust also highlighted leadership concerns, including Brian Wilson’s interim chairmanship and the absence of a Head of Football Operations since Paul Tisdale’s dismissal. They accused the board of failing to learn from past mistakes, including public criticism of the previous manager and four management changes.

What happens next for Celtic?

The club’s Champions League playoff and Premiership opener loom, but the fan unrest risks overshadowing the season. With just one new signing so far, supporters demand accountability from the executive team and Desmond. The board’s silence on key issues has only deepened frustration, leaving many questioning whether meaningful changes will come before the transfer window slams shut.

Celtic’s next move in the market could define the rest of the summer-and the season-amid mounting pressure on Nicholson and his team.