Transfer activity has been fairly light this summer with Brendan Rodgers taking a longer term view to the development of the squad rather than just throwing money at problem areas.
Before the home tie with Rosenborg the Celtic boss explained why he wouldn’t be buying a replacement for Emilio Izaguirre and was confident that Calvin Miller and Tony Ralston would be able to develop into adequate deputies.
On the evidence of Sunderland on Saturday that call looks spot on.
Improving on last season’s treble winning squad was going to be a selective process but a glut of injuries in central defence and in the striking role has suddenly made Celtic look vulnerable.
While Olivier Ntcham looks a great addition the panic that set in after the draw with Rosenborg makes that transfer look like a luxury with problems in attack and Kristoffer Ajer drafted in for his debut in defence.
It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to list a team full of midfielders but in central defence and up front options are much more limited.
Jonny Hayes and Kundai Benyu came off the bench against Rosenborg to try and turn the game around but will both have to battle their way into the starting XI.
By the end of the week we could have some new heroes in the squad, the equivalent fixture last season saw Moussa Dembele score the first of his 32 goals for the season.
The phrase ‘In Brendan We Trust’ was used throughout last season, with his track record there’s every chance that the summer arrivals will have a big impact on the season ahead.
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OLIVIER NTCHAM
The big signing so far, a £4m cheque was required to get Manchester City to part with the French u21 midfielder who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Genoa.
Early impressions suggest that he is more Jason Denayer than John Guidetti adding power and purpose to the hoops midfield.
He looks to be best suited to playing behind the sole striker but could also play in any of the holding roles in midfield.
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JONNY HAYES
There will always be a snobbery looking down on players signed from the SPFL, especially so since Hayes has just turned 30 and has spent the last half dozen years playing against Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers has a great memory- a dozen years after working with Hayes at Reading he is giving him his chance at the highest level.
So far he has shown some good touches but needs to show the form that he displayed at Aberdeen to earn a sustained run in the team.
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KUNDAI BENYU
From Ipswich exile and Aldershot Town to Champions League qualifiers!
Taking advantage of the ‘Dembele Rule’ Celtic were able to snap up the Londoner with just a development fee making it’s way to Portman Road.
After two weeks of training and an appearance against Lyon in a friendly Rodgers has changed his mind and won’t be sending the midfielder out on loan.
As Liam Henderson knows breaking into the Celtic midfield is a tough task but the early signs are certainly promising.