Two more- Chris Sutton highlights Ange’s next transfer moves

Chris Sutton has praised Celtic’s transfer business- driven by Ange Postecoglou. 

Two years ago Neil Lennon took a squad with no new faces to Loughborough then onto two matches in Lyon before splashing out on Vasilis Barkas. Ferencvaros came next quickly followed by signing David Turnbull and Shane Duffy.

The previous season Luca Connell joined the squad in Austria. Chris Jullien, Boli Bolingoli and Hatem Abd Elhamed were signed up on return with Fraser Forster, Hatem Abd Elhamed and Moritz Bauer signed up after Cluj ended hopes of reaching the Champions League. 

So far the transfer window has been as close to perfection as you are likely to find. Three loan signings from last season have been secured at a combined cost of £15m, a first team ready left-back brought in and a time served SPFL goalkeeper arrived with minimal fuss. 

The bulk of Celtic’s work has been completed, four players joined up in January but there are still a couple of areas to be addressed. 

Bringing them in sooner rather than later would be preferred but with the groundwork done for the season ahead Celtic can be selective about who else they bring in. 

Addressing the squad issues, Sutton told the Daily Record:  

As I said on these pages a fortnight ago, Postecoglou needs to find a midfielder who can offer defensive cover to his centre backs. An enforcer, if you like. You know that with the likes of Vinicius Souza on the radar, the situation is being addressed. 

Christopher Jullien’s move to Schalke fell through, but the fact Celtic had agreed a loan deal and the Frenchman travelled to Germany for talks tells you he is not seen as part of the planning. That means another centre-back is on the agenda. More recruits are on the way and Celtic are doing this right. 

With two matches in Austria next week Celtic fans will get their first look in at how the squad is shaping up for a very hectic programme from the start of September through to the World Cup break.