Chris Sutton has criticised the timing of Celtic's frantic transfer window activity after the club's Champions League exit. The former striker told the Daily Record that bringing in six players in 24 hours before the deadline was "too late" for their European ambitions.
Celtic ended the window with 10 new signings and around 20 departures, including the £6.5m sale of Arne Engels. They could only register three of their six deadline-day arrivals for their Europa League squad. The club's early Champions League elimination to LASK now forces a shift in focus entirely to domestic and Europa League competition. This comes as Brendan Rodgers' side currently leads the Scottish Premiership with 12 points from four wins, holding a two-point advantage over St Mirren.
Why did Sutton call the transfers too late?
Chris Sutton, who played for Celtic between 2000 and 2006, expressed clear frustration. "Bringing in six players in 24 hours wasn’t too little but it was definitely too late," he said. "The horse had already bolted." He connected this directly to the club's failure in Champions League qualifying, suggesting earlier reinforcements might have changed that outcome. The missed target of defensive midfielder Gvidas Gineitis was part of a wider picture Sutton believes the club must confront.
Who did Celtic sign during the transfer window?
The club's business was spread across the summer. Early arrivals included Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh. Later, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan joined. The final-day rush brought 18-year-old Shim Mhueka, midfielders Oliver Sorensen and Joel van den Berg, and 18-year-old Landon Emenalo, who never played a senior game for Chelsea. They also secured Sebastian Tounekti, a player manager Martin knows well. Yang Hyun-jun, who has impressed on the left wing this season, was another addition, with his work rate compared to Daizen Maeda. Oliver Sorensen's style has drawn comparisons to Benjamin Nygren.
What is Celtic's current situation and squad health?
Despite the European setback, Celtic's domestic form is strong. They have scored 11 goals and conceded just two in the league, giving them a +9 goal difference. However, the injury list is a concern as they prepare for their next match. Key players are currently sidelined, including Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Jota, Kasper Høgh, and Kieran Tierney. Tierney's absence is described as short-term, but Jota's return timeline and form remain uncertain. This has led to discussions about left-back options, with Greg Taylor, Dundee United, and Motherwell mentioned in the report.
What are Celtic's immediate objectives?
With Champions League football gone, the targets are now clear. Winning the Scottish Premiership is the primary goal, and their perfect start puts them in a commanding position. Progress in the Europa League is the secondary aim, though their squad registration issues present an immediate hurdle. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges, including the busy festive schedule, on the club's fixtures page. The next test is a home match against Motherwell, who are fourth in the table, on December 26th, 2026. The full extent of the squad available for that game can be seen on the injuries list.
