Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has strongly defended the club's transfer strategy, calling criticism of the board's spending an "absolute myth." Strachan made his comments while discussing the summer window and Celtic's current position, which sees them leading the Premiership with a perfect record of four wins from four games.
Speaking to Midnite as part of its 'Built Different Index' launch, the ex-boss pointed to specific deals to support his argument. "This is a myth as well, an absolute myth," Strachan told the Daily Record. "It's a myth because Hatate, Maeda and O’Riley cost £1.5million each." He also noted that Jota and Nicolas Kuhn were acquired for around £3 million each, while the sale of Arne Engels to West Ham for £22 million represented significant profit on an £11 million investment.
What business did Celtic do this summer?
Celtic's summer activity was split across two phases. Before their important Champions League qualifier against LASK, they brought in Kasper Hogh, Mika Baur, and Haissem Hassan. The club led that playoff tie 4-0 at one stage but ultimately lost, dropping into the Europa League. Following that exit, Celtic spent approximately £30 million on four players: Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Mika Baur, and Haissem Hassan.
The window also saw several loan arrivals, including Oliver Sorensen, Shim Mheuka, Sam Johnstone, and Landon Emenalo. A £3.4 million deal secured 19-year-old Joel van ben Berg, while right-back Jordan Lotomba joined on a free transfer from Feyenoord. One deal that did not materialize was the pursuit of Torino's Gvidas Gineitis, which collapsed in the final hours. Departures included Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, contributing to a net profit for the window estimated at £12.5 million.
How does Strachan view the club's model?
Strachan, who won three consecutive titles as Celtic manager, believes the club's approach is fundamentally sound and financially astute. He stated that Celtic's recruitment has been "phenomenal" and has consistently resulted in "money in the bank." The former boss argued that the board understands business and that the club's turnover has been "truly phenomenal" over a sustained period.
"The machine at Celtic has been going for 20-odd years," Strachan said, referencing the long-term stability. He offered a pointed observation on transfer value, suggesting that "the least successful signings have often been the more expensive ones." This philosophy, he implies, underpins the strategy of identifying undervalued talent.
What is the main issue for supporters?
Strachan acknowledges that European performance remains the primary concern for the fanbase, even as the team dominates domestically. "The big beef for Celtic supporters is the Champions League. I get that," he admitted. He used the recent LASK tie as a microcosm of the inconsistency that frustrates fans, referencing a 3-0 win followed by a 5-1 loss with largely the same group of players.
The squad list, while topping the table, is navigating some injury issues. Key players like Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Jota, Kasper Høgh, and Kieran Tierney are currently sidelined, which fans can track on the club's injuries page. Despite this, the team has scored 11 goals and conceded only two, building a two-point lead at the summit.
Where does the team stand now?
Celtic's strong start to the domestic campaign provides a solid foundation. With 12 points from four matches and a goal difference of +9, they hold a two-point advantage over second-place St Mirren. The team's form is reflected in the standings, where they sit clear at the top.
The focus now shifts to maintaining that league momentum while preparing for European competition in the Europa League. The next challenge is an away trip to face Aberdeen, who are 10th in the table, on December 19th. Fans looking ahead can view the full schedule on the fixtures page.
