Celtic fans fume over transfer inactivity as Rangers add five new faces

Celtic supporters have voiced their frustration at the club’s lack of transfer business, with the Hoops still the only side in the Scottish Premiership yet to make a summer signing as the window enters its third week. According to the Daily Record’s Hotline column, fans are growing increasingly restless despite reported interest in Qarabag striker Camilo Duran.

Bill Waugh, from Glasgow, told the Hotline: “Pre-season training has started and all Celtic signings are off the park. Every club has signed players. The attitude of this board beggars belief. The fans once again have forked out money for mediocrity. Once again, total shambles.”

Denis Bruce, from Bishopbriggs, questioned whether the board’s approach could push manager Martin O’Neill out of the club. He said: “Is the Celtic board determined to make Martin O’Neill walk away? They are certainly going about it the right way with the threatened exodus of players and no replacements on the horizon. It would be beyond criminal if the team were to fall at its sole hurdle of qualifying for the Champions League. That would make last season’s AGM look like a vicar’s tea party in comparison with this season’s AGM.”

Rangers strengthen while rivals wait

Across Glasgow, Derek McInnes has already added five new faces to his Rangers squad, giving Ibrox supporters plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the new season. Gary Stevenson, from Newtonhill, took aim at Celtic fans criticising the Rangers arrivals, writing: “You have to laugh at the Celtic regulars criticising Rangers’ new signings. If it wasn’t for Rangers transfer activity, they would have nothing to talk about.”

Talk of a lucrative move for Arne Engels has also stirred debate, with reports suggesting Celtic could command around £25 million for the midfielder’s departure to Nottingham Forest. Gordon Ashley, from Ayr, responded to criticism from a Rangers supporter over the fee, saying: “I understand Chris Lowe’s rage at Celtic courting £25m for Arne Engels. Celtic have taken everything from his club and now overtaking their claimed title haul, denying them £40m Champions League cash and stealing their club anthem has been too much to take. Us getting much more for Engels than they get for Nico Raskin is just the final straw.”

Not every Rangers fan is convinced by the summer rebuild, however. Lewis Fotheringham, from Mount Ellen, defended McInnes’ managerial record and predicted an end to Celtic’s dominance, pointing to the boss’s previous spells at Aberdeen and Hearts, including a title challenge that came close to breaking the Old Firm’s decades-long stranglehold.

Dundee cash in as Graham heads south

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Dundee have banked a club-record fee after forward Luke Graham completed a £2 million move to Stoke City. Not all supporters are convinced by the switch, though, with Drew Ferguson, from Oban, questioning the logic behind the transfer given Stoke’s finish of 17th in last season’s Championship.

Scotland manager search under scrutiny

The Hotline also touched on the ongoing search for a new Scotland manager following Steve Clarke’s departure. Charles Maxwell offered a tongue-in-cheek theory, suggesting the SFA should move quickly to secure their preferred candidates before other nations come calling, joking about the prospect of being left with “England’s cast-offs” if the process drags on.

Read more: Celtic urged to swoop for Motherwell’s Elijah Just as new Stiliyan Petrov