Transfer expectations battered down by Celtic Board

I’m now at the stage where I’m mentally prepared to negotiate with the Celtic Board to downgrade my own transfer expectations and settle for less than I reckon we need…

Michael Nicholson,

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I’m sure most of you would agree that we need two wingers and also a replacement for Kyogo. However I am now ready to concede ground by telling the Celtic Board (in my own mind at least) that I am prepared to settle for two quality wide men and moving Daizen Media through the middle.

For me at least that would suffice, and I would actually be delighted if they also announced that Daizen has been rewarded for his amazing contribution in the Hoops by signing a bumper new contract.

Daizen Maeda scores

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his team’s opening goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic have been linked with yet more players in the past week as the search for much needed new blood intensifies, with the clock slowly ticking down until the slamming shut of the transfer window.

The majority of the players rumoured to be of interest are wide players such is our desparate need to add some goal threat to our squad. Names such as Mali winger Oumar Traore, the more familiar sounding Michel–Ange Balikwisha, and a new name in the shape of Calvin Stengs of Feyenoord. The first seems entirely unlikely, the second is reportedly NOT happening and the third is a not even a proper rumour in my opinion. The report even admits that the club has not even spoken to Feyenoord about a deal. Of the three I’d take Stengs all day long.

Calvin Stengs

Feyenoord’s new forward Calvin Stengs poses during his presentation at Feyenoord De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, on July 28, 2023, ahead of the 2023-2024 Dutch Eredivisie football league. (Photo by WILLEM VERNES/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

I’d like to think that the Celtic Board has a list of potential targets due to the sale of Nicolas Kuhn, and long term injury to Jota which has left us bare to the bones in the final third.

A prolific centre forward would also be ideal, but two wingers should be the bare minimum as we have Daizen Maeda who is proven to be more than capable through the middle, with the likes of Adam Idah, Shin Yamada, and Callum Osmand in reserve.

Callum Osmand of Celtic FC

Clyde v Celtic B team KDM Evolution Trophy 12/08/2025. Callum Osmand of Celtic FC during the KDM Evolution Trophy match between Clyde and Celtic B team at New Douglas Park, Hamilton, on 12 August 2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI

The goals that Daizen provided last season, strikes that were pivotal in our double success, more than prove his worth as the main striker. Bring in two quality wide men and our forward line will look all that much better if Daizen signs on the dotted line.

Maybe another week will pass and by that time I’ll relent further and settle for one winger and a promise not to sell Daizen immediately after they spend £1.5m on his replacement. Ever decreasing expectations CSC signing off…

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

And there’s another great benefit for readers who pre-order their copy of Celtic in the Eighties. You will also receive a copy of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you pre-order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Click on the image below to order. (Just order Celtic in the Eighties and we’ll automatically add a copy of the Alec McNair book).

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Join the Weekly Lottery

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

Welcome to our Live Comments section, where new comments will appear automatically

4 Comments

  1. Will Daizen still be a Celtic player by the end of this window? I hope so but I fear that he’s off.

  2. Couldn’t agree more with the first 2 paragraphs of your article. As for the other 3 players you mention, i don’t know enough about any of them to form an opinion. Maeda signing a new contract would be just as good as signing another top-rate striker. Oh please let it happen. But like so many of my fellow Celtic supporters i fear that’s not going to happen.

    Guys there is a problem with trying to create comments on this site. Every few letters or so it doesn’t allow you to type until you bang at the keyboard, LOL! I then discovered that the problem is the pop-up advert along the bottom of the screen. If i ‘close’ that advert the problem goes away. I’ve had that problem a few times on here but have only just discovered what’s causing it. Others may be getting put off commenting on here if they are experiencing the same problem.

  3. This post is to help the tech guys, on this site, fix some posting problems.

    The problem now seems sorted. Thanks, guys!