Celtic's summer transfer window concluded with a significant financial profit but lingering questions over squad depth, as reported by Sky Sports on Thursday 3 September 2026. The club spent £36.2 million on new signings but generated £49.5 million from player sales, resulting in a net gain of over £13 million.
Brendan Rodgers's side has begun the Premiership season in imperious form, sitting first with a perfect 15 points from five games. They lead Hearts by three points, having scored 13 goals and conceded just three. Their latest victory was a 2-1 win away to St Mirren on 5 September, extending their winning run to five matches.
What were Celtic's major transfer deals?
Celtic broke their transfer record to sign Danish striker Kasper Hogh for a fee in excess of £11 million. Other arrivals included Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan, Mika Baur, and Joel van den Berg. For defensive cover, the club brought in Chelsea teenager Landon Emenalo. The major outflows saw key players depart for England: Arne Engels joined West Ham for £22 million, Daizen Maeda moved to Ipswich for £10 million, and Reo Hatate transferred to Burnley for £9 million.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph highlighted a specific frustration. "What Celtic will be most frustrated about is not getting their prime midfield target Gvidas Gineitis after lengthy talks with Torino," he said. This failed pursuit has left a gap in the squad's midfield options.
How does the squad look for the season ahead?
While the starting eleven is considered strong, perhaps even stronger than last season's, the overall depth of the squad is a concern. This issue was thrown into sharp relief by the club's early exit from the Champions League play-offs. The current injury list, which includes key figures like Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, and record signing Kasper Hogh, further tests the roster's resilience. Fans can track the latest availability on the club's injuries page.
Anthony Joseph noted the fan sentiment, stating, "There's certainly frustration from the fans about how this window has ended for Celtic." This frustration stems from the high-profile sales and the missed opportunity to strengthen a critical area of the pitch.
How did the rest of the Premiership fare?
The window was busy across Scotland, with over 120 new signings entering the Premiership. Rangers were particularly active, signing 14 players including Kevin Kelsy for £9.2 million and Minsu Kim for £8.5 million. Their city rivals retained a squad of nearly 30 players. Elsewhere, Motherwell sold Elijah Just to Swansea, Hearts kept Player of the Year Claudio Braga, and clubs like Aberdeen and Dundee United made strategic additions to their wide areas and midfield.
What's next for Celtic after the window?
Attention now turns fully to the pitch, where Celtic's flawless start has built a three-point cushion at the summit of the standings. The immediate focus is a massive fixture at home to Rangers on 20 September. Rangers currently sit fourth, setting the stage for a key early-season clash. The full run-up to this derby can be seen in the team's fixtures schedule. Before that, Rodgers must navigate this season's squad through its challenges, aiming to maintain a winning run that has already delivered 13 goals this campaign.
