So, eleven signings later, Celtic’s summer feels like a microcosm of modern football recruitment, part vision, part chaos, part compromise. A handful have settled and look like proper additions — Tounekti, Tierney, Iheanacho, and Saracchi all feel woven into the fabric already.
Brendan Rodgers and Benjamin Nygren of Celtic Glasgow press confrence ahead UEFA Europa league match against Crvena zvezda at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 23.09.2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia Photo: VM/MN Press
Others, like Nygren, Balikwisha, Yamada, and Osmand, are hovering in that liminal space between potential and product. And then there are those who leave you scratching your head, Inamura, Doohan, and Simpson-Pusey, talented, intriguing, but currently peripheral.
The broader question is structural. If Rodgers truly only wanted three players, assuming no-one left that is, what does that say about alignment between the manager and those above him? Because on the evidence so far, Celtic have assembled a squad of individuals rather than one built to a coherent blueprint. There’s talent here, undoubtedly, but also the risk of stunted growth, if development stalls and opportunities are unevenly distributed.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic Glasgow press conference ahead UEFA Europa league match against Crvena zvezda at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 23.09.2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia Photo VM/MN Press
Still, the season is long, and Celtic seasons have a habit of finding unlikely heroes. One or two of these names may yet define the campaign in ways nobody predicted. For now, though, this summer’s business stands as both an opportunity and a warning, a reminder that quantity and quality are not the same thing, and that even at a club the size of Celtic, patience remains the rarest currency of all.
Niall J
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!
Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books
Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ORDER…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.
