Even the deflection tactics are low key- this morning the Daily Record are reporting that Celtic are ready to start talks about giving Kris Ajer a new improved contract.
In May 2018 the young Norwegian committed himself to the club until 2022, providing him with Champions League football and a better quality of team-mate should be the priority to keep AC Milan and others at bay.
On July 24 Celtic signed Hatem Abd Elhamed, after almost every Champions League fixture Neil Lennon has spoken of hoping to get another two or three players brought to the club.
Going by the absence of a Head of Recruitment until July 1 and the failings outlined in the Daily Mail yesterday the defeat from Cluj is likely to further downgrade Celtic’s transfer plans.
With the attractions of Scottish football fairly limited and the incentive of Champions League football off the table any new arrivals are likely to be low key. Ajer fell into that category in 2016, as did Ryan Christie the previous year which goes to show that there is good value out there even if it takes a year or two and a loan spell to bear fruit.
Retaining Ajer and Christie for the duration of their current contracts would be extremely welcome but as we witnessed with Kieran Tierney cut price transfers to England are easier to complete than qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League.
Moves for Kilmarnock duo Stephen O’Donnell and Greg Taylor look increasingly likely, neither will be given much of a fanfare with questions asked online about why they weren’t signed earlier.
Having an extra zero on their weekly wage packet and playing in front of 10 times the crowds that they are used to will suit both players. Celtic supporters are growing more critical and questioning with the only deflection likely to succeed being a long run of victories to silence the domestic pretenders.