Where we stand and what we need
Celtic’s defence and midfield are in decent shape to start the season, albeit with a question mark over Tierney’s durability and a need to monitor his cover situation. In midfield, there’s a healthy mix of tenacity, vision and depth.
COMO, ITALY – JULY 26: Celtic FC team line up during the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
But in attack, the issues are acute and the solutions urgent. The lack of trusted wingers, especially on the left, is startling for a club of Celtic’s ambitions. The forward line feels cobbled together rather than purpose-built — with too much reliance on Maeda, and a hope rather than an expectation that Yamada will fire.
Ideally Celtic require a left and right sided winger of European class as a bare minimum. If Kenny and Osmand go on loan for their development, then Celtic need another striker. With question marks around Idah as a first choice pick, and Yamada arriving a little shot shy, then it’s not cover Celtic needs, it’s a first pick striker of European pedigree.
CFR Cluj v. Paksi – Europa League Louis Munteanu, Virgiliu Postolachi, and Aly Abeid celebrate during the match between CFR 1907 Cluj and Paksi FC at Dr Constantin Radulescu Stadium in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on July 17, 2025. Cluj-Napoca Romania Photo Flaviu Buboi
Louis Munteanu from Cluj has been mooted, and he’s the only striker linked of late that stand out as the quality required. But Celtic don’t seem to have pursued that deal since having a £6.9m bid rejected, and Cluj’s owner indicating he wanted in excess of double that amount.
As things stand it may be Celtic would be better served rotating Daizen, Idah and Shin as their striking options. And instead purchasing two top level wide players, while also picking up a high end youthful loan to cover Jota’s absence from the team. With the league opener imminent, Celtic can still get off to a winning start — but if silverware is again the goal, and Europe is about competing rather than participating, this squad needs serious attacking reinforcement before the transfer window closes.
Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay watch on during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It’s time for the Celtic Board to act — and fast. Just back Brendan, for heaven’s sake.
Niall J
Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter
Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.
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