There was a very familiar look to the Celtic team-sheet in the home win over Kilmarnock yesterday. Especially on the bench.
Despite extensive recruitment over the last two transfer windows every substitute with the exception of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the club before 2026.
That is either a dire indictment on the club’s Recruitment Strategy or the judgement of Martin O’Neill.
With a 1-0 win ground out and three more SPFL points some will say that it was a case of job done. It does however come at quite a price.
In recent years the term ‘bomb squad’ has emerged in football.
Usually it related to players inherited but unwanted by a new manager. At Celtic they almost have the reverse problem, recent signings not rated by their manager.
Post-LASK signings:
??Oliver Sørensen: 236 mins
??Sam Johnstone: 540 mins
??Shim Mheuka: 80 mins
??Landon Emenalo: 39 mins
??Joël van den Berg: 0 mins
??Jordan Lotomba: 31 mins?? “World class in everything we do.” Michael Nicholson
— Paul John Dykes (@PaulJohnDykes) November 4, 2026
That tweet was published on Wednesday ahead of the Celtic v Besiktas Europa League match.
Five of those signings were left out of the squad against Kilmarnock, as did Haissem Hassan.
Johnstone now seems to be Celtic’s first choice goalkeeper, his minutes played now dwarves that played by the five other signings combined.
THE STORY OF CELTIC RECRUITMENT
In January it was a similar story with recruitment. At a time when the Celtic squad was badly in need of strengthening on the back of successive transfer windows that had resulted in losing Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah. Regular nailed on starters while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Alistair Johnston were out with long term injuries.
January’s recruitment added virtually nothing to the squad. Many fans would struggle to name the not so famous five.
Joel Mveuka is probably the most memorable for two Scottish Cup appearances that horrified fans. Especially since he’d have been signed on a permanent basis had it not been for an issue highlighted by his medical.
Tomas Cvancara tucked away a memorable penalty at Ibrox which turned out to be his final Celtic appearance.
Junior Adamu started that Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, one of his six Celtic appearances. His only goal salvaged extra-time from the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee.
Ben Arthur made six appearances in central defence, after a short run in the side he dropped out behind Dane Murray.
Julian Araujo became something of a cult hero with his enthusiasm and goal celebrations. The Ibrox Scottish Cup tie was his 13th and final Celtic appearance.
