Journalist David Friel has labelled Celtic’s Kasper Dolberg debacle as “embarrassing,” laying into the club’s non-existent recruitment strategy…
AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Dolberg Kasper forward of RSC Anderlecht in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025 26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28 08 2025 Athens Greece Photo: IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir
The Danish forward appeared poised to join Celtic on deadline day, but Ajax swooped in at the last minute and Dolberg eventually returned to the Dutch giants.
However, Celtic ought to have moved swiftly if they were serious about signing him as mentioned by the Herlad’s Stephen McGowan in his column last week.
Now, according to Friel, everyone knew Ajax was likely to intervene in the transfer, yet according to the nameless executives at Celtic, the failure of the transfer isn’t on them – it’s down to other clubs valuation for their own players, the media, agents, UEFA or anyone else they can point fingers at apart from themselves.
AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Kasper Dolberg forward of RSC Anderlecht with a laser in his eyes during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28/08/2025 Athens Greece. Photo IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir
Journalist David Friel told Go Ballistic that Celtic’s approach left the club highly vulnerable. “Kasper Dolberg is a prime example. Speaking to people in Belgium, it was an open secret that Ajax were going to come in for him,” he said.
“And I know everybody’s saying, ‘Oh, this domino effect, etc., etc.’ I don’t for a minute think that Sunderland, after Marc Guehi gets recalled by Chelsea, suddenly think we’ll just go and spend £25m on Bryan Brobby from Ajax. A deal like that is weeks, months in the making.”
The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).
Friel added: “For Celtic to put all their eggs in one basket with Kasper Dolberg and not get it over the line was embarrassing in the end.
‘What is happening with the recruitment? What is going on with the process?’
“And listen, the player can only come if he wants to, right? I get that and players [deals]fall down. But you don’t have a plan B, you don’t have a plan C, and you end up scrambling about trying to get free agents the day after.
“But then you put out statement saying ‘Oh, it’s not really our fault’; it’s just excuses. You can understand why fans are thinking, ‘What is happening with the recruitment? What is going on with the process?’
The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).
Celtic missing out on Dolberg was indeed highly embarrassing. The club left themselves exposed on the final day of the window having not replaced players in the forward areas. The Dolberg debacle left the club scrambling about for EPL rejects and free agents. For Celtic supporters it was the final straw and the first protest will be happening at the start of the game on Sunday at Rugby Park when Celtic take on Kilmarnock.
Late Entry Protest v Kilmarnock
On Sunday, stay outside until the 12th minute to demonstrate your discontent of the board. pic.twitter.com/yvWrZ8NFw5
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) September 11, 2025
Conor Spence
