Celtic legend Chris Sutton has delivered a withering verdict on the club’s woeful transfer window — insisting it leaves them weak and vulnerable in the title race.
There are also now serious questions being asked over the future of manager Brendan Rodgers after a shambolic summer of recruitment saw Celtic’s only signing on transfer deadline day being Hammarby winger Sebastian Tounekti for £5.2million.
On Tuesday night, Rodgers was reunited with his former Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who signed as a free agent on a one-year deal ahead of the 11pm deadline to register players for the Europa League, while the club were also talking to another free agent, ex-Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford.
It followed Monday’s embarrassment for the Scottish champions who missed out on top striking target Kasper Dolberg and also failed with a loan bid for Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana. That had left them scrambling around trying to thrash out a deal for Iheanacho before it was concluded on Tuesday.
Rodgers had been adamant no sales would be sanctioned without replacements coming in first, but he was undermined when Adam Idah was shipped off to Swansea City for £7m.
Celtic have been desperately short of options up front after selling Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn over recent months, with Jota out with a long-term injury.
Brendan Rodgers looks totally frustrated during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Rangers at Ibrox
Winger Sebastian Tounekti turned out to be the club’s only signing on deadline day
Free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, who worked with Rodgers at Leicester, was a late arrival on Tuesday night
Rodgers’ side are currently level on points with Hearts at the top of the table, with Rangers six points behind, but Sutton believes Celtic’s ineptitude in the transfer market has thrown the title race wide open.
‘The most remarkable window of all time. Celtic have come out of it weaker,’ he Tweeted. ‘At least Celtic are doing everything they can for there to be a title race this season.
‘Going into a season with great expectation and excitement, after a few weeks the feeling now is utter deflation.’
Fans have been outraged at the lack of ambition being shown by the club, with winger Daizen Maeda having been left as the only senior forward on the books ahead of 28-year-old Iheanacho’s late arrival. Supporters are unlikely be be impressed with that late addition, however.
Speaking after the 0-0 draw against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, manager Rodgers said: ‘We have gaps in the squad that are very clear.
‘I have to convince the board to really push to get the players in that we really need. Hopefully, we can get the players in by the end of the transfer window.’
Despite cash reserves of almost £80m in the bank, Celtic only spent around £13m this summer on Tounekti, Shin Yamada, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Benjamin Nygren, with Kieran Tierney arriving as a free agent.
Speaking on Sky Sports News ahead of Iheanacho’s move, Tino Callaghan from the Celtic Exchange podcast said: ‘It is absolutely wild, inexplicable how it’s come to this.
Celtic were also talking to former Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, having been left with a serious lack of forward options
Celtic legend Chris Sutton says the club’s inactivity in transfer window has left them ‘weaker’
‘It’s certainly frustrating from a fan point of view. It also seriously undermines Brendan Rodgers. He said in as many words, just in the last couple of days, Adam Idah won’t be going unless I get a replacement.
‘We haven’t got a replacement and there may be this out-of-contract signing of Kelechi Iheanacho which in itself is pretty embarrassing. The club, whether that’s Dermot Desmond [major shareholder] or Michael Nicholson [chief executive] or the board, they’re certainly letting the manager down and absolutely letting the fans down.
‘Celtic are doing their level best to make a title race where there wasn’t one before and I know people on the outside looking in will say: “You’re top of the table, you’re cruising there and things are fine”. Things are not fine and there’s a concerning pattern starting to emerge.
‘Celtic signed 10 players this window but, actually, how many will have an impact on the first team? Maybe Kieran Tierney and that’s a concern.’
Meanwhile, The Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs have called on chief executive Nicholson to explain the club’s direction and strategy.
The group, who represent fans around the world, expressed alarm at what they described as a lack of ambition from the board.
The Affiliation argue that Celtic’s failure to adequately prepare for Champions League qualifiers is part of a repeated pattern under the current leadership.
Despite the club posting healthy financial results, the group claim investment on the pitch has not matched ambition off it.
Celtic missed out on top striking target Kasper Dolberg on Monday evening
The Parkhead club also failed with a loan bid for the Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana
They are now demanding Nicholson outlines the club’s vision and explain the reasoning behind what fans see as another wasted window.
The statement read: ‘The Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs wishes to express growing concern over the club’s current trajectory and apparent lack of ambition — particularly the failure to strengthen the squad ahead of this season’s crucial UEFA Champions League qualifiers, despite robust financial results.
‘This concern has been echoed not only by supporters but also by manager Brendan Rodgers and club captain Callum McGregor.
‘The recurring failure to adequately prepare for key European fixtures has become a troubling pattern, raising serious questions about the club’s strategy, planning, and competitive priorities.
‘We call on CEO Michael Nicholson to provide a clear and direct explanation to supporters and shareholders — outlining the club’s long-term vision, its commitment to genuine footballing ambition, and the rationale behind the lack of visible progress in this summer’s transfer window.
‘At a time when decisive leadership is needed, continued silence only deepens frustration.
‘Celtic’s support demands transparency, accountability, and a plan that reflects both the aspirations of our fanbase and the full potential of Celtic Football Club.
‘These concerns have been further compounded by the disarray witnessed on the final evening of the transfer window.’
