Celtic’s £25m summer strategy explained as reporter says club “ceased all spending”

Celtic’s summer transfer plans reportedly changed dramatically after their failure to qualify for the Champions League, with the club abandoning a further £25 million recruitment programme following their defeat to LASK. Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has explained how the Hoops could have strengthened significantly had they reached the group stage of Europe’s leading competition.

Ten players arrived during the summer window. Among the early permanent signings were Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur, who joined before the decisive tie against LASK. Celtic were expected to continue adding to the squad, particularly if they secured Champions League football.

However, the Scottish champions suffered a defeat against the Austrian side and were left with another season in the Europa League. The result appears to have had an immediate effect on the club’s recruitment strategy. Rather than continuing with the planned investment, Celtic reduced their spending.

Joel van den Berg was the only further permanent signing after the European disappointment. Several other additions arrived on loan, while the club’s wider plans were put on hold. Joseph says Celtic had been preparing to spend approximately another £25 million if they qualified for the Champions League proper.

Linz, Austria. 25th Aug, 2026. LINZ, AUSTRIA – AUGUST 25: team LASK celebrates the goal to 4:1 during the UEFA Champions League Play-off 2nd leg match between LASK and Celtic Glasgow at Oberoesterreich Arena on August 25, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Severin Aichbauer/Sports Press Photo/SPP) Credit: SPP Sport Press Photo. /Alamy Live News

The players Celtic were targeting

According to Joseph, Celtic had been involved in discussions over several potential recruits before the outcome of the play-off changed everything. Ermin Mahmic, Gvidas Gineitis and Adrian Blake were among the players the club were looking at.

The recruitment plan also included bringing in a goalkeeper with international experience. Balazs Toth, who was at Blackburn Rovers, was mentioned as one of the options being considered. These targets offered an indication of the areas Celtic wanted to strengthen and the level of investment that could have followed qualification.

Joseph explained that some significant players were being offered to Celtic when it appeared they would progress in the Champions League. The prospect of playing in the competition had clearly influenced the opportunities available to the club. Reaching that stage could have allowed the Hoops to attract a stronger group of players and complete more ambitious deals.

Instead, the defeat in Austria forced a major rethink. Joseph said Celtic effectively stopped spending after missing out on the Champions League. Apart from van den Berg, who cost a reported £3.4 million and arrived later, the club relied on four loan signings and one free transfer to address the squad’s needs.

Van den Berg has yet to make his first-team debut, although he has recently appeared for Celtic’s B team in a Scottish Challenge Cup fixture. His arrival was therefore the only permanent addition after the LASK setback, despite the earlier expectation that more players would be recruited.

25th October 2026; Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates with Mika Baur of Celtic after he shoots and scores in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1 to Celtic

A transfer window that divided supporters

Celtic supporters initially had reasons to feel encouraged by the first four permanent arrivals. Duran, Hogh, Hassan and Baur offered fresh options and suggested the club was prepared to strengthen the squad. However, that optimism faded as the window progressed and important areas remained without the reinforcements many fans wanted.

Duran and Baur have emerged as the most successful additions so far. Hogh and Hassan, meanwhile, have yet to completely convince the support that they can provide the level of quality expected. The reliance on loan signings after failing to reach the Champions League also brought back familiar frustrations among supporters.

The squad’s shortcomings have remained visible during the campaign. Celtic lost their first three Europa League matches, although they subsequently secured a victory over Besiktas. They have also suffered defeats in other important fixtures, leaving questions about whether the summer recruitment was sufficient.

January pressure is building

A ball-winning midfielder is reportedly high on Celtic’s list of priorities for the January transfer window. Arne Engels’ move to West Ham United left a gap that has not yet been properly filled, and the club still needs greater strength in the middle of the pitch.

The wider concern is that the midfield and defence still appear short of sufficient quality and depth. Supporters have repeatedly questioned the hierarchy’s ability to replace important players and address weaknesses before they become serious problems.

Joseph’s account provides an explanation for why the summer window unfolded as it did, but it may not satisfy fans who believe the club should have been better prepared for either outcome. Celtic knew that Champions League qualification was not guaranteed, yet the failure to reach the competition appears to have brought much of the intended spending to a halt.

With January approaching, attention will once again turn towards the board and its willingness to invest. Celtic remain well placed domestically, but their European struggles and unresolved squad issues make the next window important. The club must decide whether to revive its recruitment ambitions or risk allowing the same weaknesses to undermine the remainder of the season.