Arne Slot reveals his transfer strategy for the upcoming transfer windows (Credits: Imago Images)
The Celtic Trust and Celtic Supporters Association have released scathing statements attacking the club’s leadership over a deeply underwhelming summer transfer window.
Scottish champions Celtic have completed just one signing this summer, bringing in Camilo Duran as their sole new addition to the squad.
The new Premiership season is fast approaching, with Celtic set to open their domestic campaign against Dundee on August 3.
European pressure also looms large, with the Champions League playoff first leg scheduled for either August 18 or 19.
Supporter discontent was visible during the pre-season friendly against Middlesborough on Saturday, with large sections of the home stands left visibly empty.
The Supporters Association placed blame squarely on major shareholder Dermot Desmond and the club’s executive team for the current state of affairs.
Their statement declared: “Close to 60 days have now passed since we secured the league title against Hearts, yet the club has added only one player to the squad who was not here last season.”
The statement continued: “It is evident to supporters that responsibility for these failings lies with those tasked with concluding deals and strengthening the playing squad namely the executive team and the club’s major shareholder, Dermot Desmond.”
CEO Michael Nicholson drew particular criticism after citing agents’ fees, English football’s financial power, and even living in Glasgow as obstacles to completing transfer business.
The Supporters Association responded sharply, stating: “Rather than inspiring confidence, those remarks highlight an executive team that appears unable to overcome the challenges of the modern transfer market.”
The statement also raised concerns over ongoing boardroom instability, with Brian Wilson still serving as interim Chairman following Peter Lawwell’s departure, and no Head of Football Operations appointed since Paul Tisdale’s dismissal.
The group described last season as “shambolic,” noting the public criticism of the previous manager through club channels and four separate changes to the management team.
The Celtic Trust then issued its own statement, raising fresh concerns over the collapse of deals for Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.
The Trust noted that manager Martin O’Neill had expressed he was “hopeful” of keeping Iheanacho, making the failure to secure his stay even harder for supporters to accept.
Their statement warned: “We appear to be following a familiar pattern of gambling; waiting to see whether we can beat inferior sides to reach the Champions League Group Stage before scrambling around in the guise of strategic first team investment on transfer deadline day.”
The Celtic Trust formally reiterated the call for Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay to step down from their respective positions at the club.
They also called on interim Chairman Brian Wilson to publicly address supporters about the club’s direction, noting he had refused to meet with any recognised fan organisation despite repeated requests.
The Trust closed with a direct appeal to larger shareholders, asking: “How long are you going to sit quietly while the Desmonds rule the club with a minority of shares?”
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