Shutters Down, Laxalt only arrival, “no big departures.” Celebrate Christie, he saved the day

Peter Lawwell’s ‘go-to’ journalist Stephen McGowan at Daily Mail, has signalled the end of the transfer business For Celtic with the loan deal for Diego Laxalt from AC Milan. There will be an option to buy added IF the two clubs can agree on a figure.

And McGowan rules out the possibility of Celtic making a deadline day deal to sign Liverpool winger Harry Wilson on loan, as we reported here. He also confirms that there will be no ‘big departures’ from the 9IAR Scottish Champions as they complete the squad that Neil Lennon hopes will deliver the historic Ten titles in a row.

Signing Diego Laxalt will be Celtic last piece of business in this transfer window.

So that means that Odsonne Edouard can get his focus back on playing football, while the likes of Kris Ajer, Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Christie will have to content themselves for now on playing for the Hoops. The Norwegian was linked with a move to AC Milan, the French midfielder with a move to Southampton and Christie was linked with a move to Burnley.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City we understand enquired about both Edouard and Christie but received little to no encouragement from Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell. And talking of Rodgers, one of his most bizarre Celtic signings – and boy he had way too many of these – Kundai Benyu has now left Celtic signing for English National League side Wealdstone. Best of luck to Benyu but he was nowhere near good enough to be even considered by Celtic and when  you add to De Vries, Compper, Hendry etc you really have to marvel at just how awful Rodgers was at talent spotting.

Talking of Ryan Christie there’s been some chatter on social media about him not celebrating Leigh Griffiths’ vital goal in the 90th minutes at McDiarmid Park yesterday afternoon (watch that on the club’s Unique Angle video below) but very little talk of what Christie did next – for those who have forgotten already he made a vital block to prevent a St Johnstone equaliser. And as for his lack of celebration, watch carefully, he turns away and enjoys the moment himself with a wee fist clench.

Embed from Getty Images

No other goal that Celtic has scored this season has been as important or as extravagantly celebrated in Celtic households the world over as that one yesterday. But if it wasn’t for Ryan Christie that game could easily have ended 1-1 rather than 2-0 to Celtic. Credit where credit is due on this one folks.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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