Martin O’Neill has promised that Camilo Duran will be the first of a few signings.
The hoops boss was speaking following a 1-1 draw with Shelbourne with a squad that consisted solely of players from last season.
Cameron Carte-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki each got their first 45 minutes under O’Neill but it would be a stretch to describe either as a new signing.
On Tuesday news emerged from Azerbaijan that terms had been agreed with Qarabag for their Colombian striker with Duran travelling to undergo a medical.
In January Celtic brought in five loan signings who have all returned to their clubs.
On the bench against Shelbourne O’Neill listed eight players that have never started a competitive match to underline the lack of depth to his squad.
Eight players have yet to return from World Cup duty but it is expected that there will be serious transfers coming in for some Celtic players.
The move for Duran was the main item last night with The Sun reporting O’Neill saying:
I think that he should be able to join us in Portugal, certainly in the next 24 hours.
He’s still very young. I think he can hold up play well. I think he’s strong in that department.
We need a few players. It’s as simple as that but I do think he will be a good addition.
Will he be the first of a few? Absolutely. We have been making inroads into it.
Like everything, sometimes you get thwarted with things but we still need a number of players.
With the pace that Celtic do business it looks like Duran will be the only new signing involved against Sporting Lisbon next Tuesday.
SUMMER TRANSFER NEEDS AT CELTIC
Players across the globe are in different stages of pre-season training, Duran was with Qarabag at their pre-season training base.
Following the friendly against Sporting Celtic have home matches against Middlesbrough and AC Milan on July 18 and 25.
It does seem that Celtic are a little short on players and fixtures before the start of competitive action on August 3.
The Champions League Play Offs on August 18/19 and 25/26 are significant dates that Celtic have to work towards.
Before that they face Dundee, Kilmarnock and a League Cup tie. Between both of those legs they have an away SPFL match at St Johnstone which they can postpone.
Johnny Kenny missed last night’s match with the striker picking up an injury while out on loan at Bolton. Reo Hatate was also missing from the matchday squad.
Dermot Desmond was among the crowd at Tolka Park last night.
