Short of at least four- Chris Sutton sets out his Celtic transfer demands

Chris Sutton wants Celtic to add four new signings. While retaining Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston.

Eleven weeks after winning the Scottish Cup Michael Nicholson has completed two incoming transfer deals.

There is four weeks left to do business. Less than a week to sign players for the Champions League Play Off against LASK. Two last minute changes can be made on August 14.

Sutton has been highlighting the failings of Celtic recruitment for over a year.

Speculation over Engels and Johnston has highlighted the lack of signings.

Losing those two players would seriously dilute the quality of the Celtic squad.

Not many fans would expect to get past LASK without Maeda, Johnston and Engels.

Sutton wants to see Celtic strengthen rather than weaken.

Writing in the Daily Record the former hoops striker sets out his concerns:

Strength in depth is a worry.

They need a left-back. They need a goalkeeper. I like Viljami Sinisalo and I don’t think he has done much wrong but every club should always be looking to improve.

I think they need a couple of wide players too. I think they are short of at least four players. And that includes keeping Johnston and Arne Engels.

I know some supporters were frustrated with Engels against Dundee, but I’ll tell you what he does give Celtic – athleticism.

He covers ground. He gives them legs in midfield. Take that away and Celtic become a different team. If you can replace those qualities, great. But if you can’t, letting him go would be a huge gamble.

Adding four first team starters to the side that played Dundee would transform Celtic.

But doing that while retaining Engels and Johnston seems far fetched based on recent evidence.

SUTTON LOOKS FOR QUALITY AHEAD OF PROJECTS

The transfer window timeline has switched from months to weeks.

That will soon become days.

Celtic fans are anxious for answers. The first leg against LASK on August 19 will answer many of the questions being asked.

While few of the 15 players that have left will be missed from the Starting XI the squad is running short on depth.

In previous seasons Celtic have signed up project players like Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura.

This summer it seems like that area of the transfer market has been halted.

Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh are Champions League level strikers. Not from the distant past but from last season.