Celtic's summer transfer window has been assessed as a strong success by the Daily Record Football team, with a late rush of six signings complementing earlier arrivals. The window closed this week, leaving the Premiership leaders with a bolstered squad as they sit top of the table with a perfect record of four wins from four games.
Record Sport's Michael Gannon, Andy Newport, and Fraser Wilson delivered their jury evaluation after the deadline passed. They highlighted the early capture of striker Jhon Duran as a masterstroke. "Duran already looks like a bargain at £6m for Celtic and already is a shot for the best player in the country at present," said Gannon. Fraser Wilson agreed, stating, "Hands down it’s Celtic getting Duran for £6m."
Who did Celtic sign this summer?
The club's business was split into two distinct phases. Celtic enjoyed a superb start to the window with several early arrivals, setting a positive tone. The final days, however, saw a significant scramble that resulted in six late signings being completed. Alongside the headline acquisition of Duran, Celtic secured the services of Kasper Høgh, Moritz Baur, Bilal Hassan, Sepp van den Berg, Mads Sorensen, and Toluwanimi Emanelo. This influx of numbers has provided manager Martin O'Neill with plenty of options and, based on early evidence, plenty of goals. The team has scored 11 times in the league while conceding only twice, giving them a commanding +9 goal difference.
What are the remaining concerns for Celtic?
Despite the overall positive assessment, the evaluation noted specific areas that still look vulnerable. A lack of added midfield muscle was identified as a potential issue, especially with the physical demands of the Premiership season. Questions were also raised about whether enough defensive quality was brought in to sustain a title challenge and European campaign. These concerns are amplified by the current injuries list, which includes key figures like Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, and the newly signed Kasper Høgh.
How did other Premiership clubs fare?
The Record Sport team also evaluated the business of Celtic's rivals. Rangers brought in 14 new players, with early intakes like Kim and Makanya followed by later deals for Lawrence Shankland, Lyall Kelsy, and Anis Bouanani. They were, however, unable to cash in on midfielder Nicolas Raskin. Hearts were praised for their work, particularly the signings of Calvin Miller and Josh McPake. McPake arrives after a rejuvenating spell at St Johnstone, with James Wilson and Beau Reus also joining Tynecastle.
What is Celtic's current situation?
Celtic's transfer activity has underpinned a flawless start to the domestic season. They lead the Premiership with 12 points, holding a two-point advantage over second-placed St Mirren. The squad's depth will be tested as they prepare for their next fixture, a home match against Motherwell on December 26th. Motherwell currently sit fourth in the standings, making it a significant early-season encounter. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our dedicated fixtures page. The window is now shut, and the focus turns fully to maintaining their early momentum on the pitch.
