Celtic chief admits club struggling to compete with English Championship in market

Celtic’s chief executive Michael Nicholson has admitted the Scottish champions are struggling to compete with English Championship clubs in the transfer market, according to minutes from a supporters’ meeting that have been circulated online.

The comments came at the annual general meeting of the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs in Cork on 4 July, where chairman Brian Wilson, manager Martin O’Neill and Nicholson fielded questions from fans frustrated by a lack of summer business.

Celtic have made just one signing since the window opened — Colombian forward Camilo Duran — while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has agreed to extend his stay at the club following his short-term deal last season. Supporters used the meeting to press the board on why recruitment has been so sluggish.

Agents and English clubs cited as obstacles

According to the minutes, Nicholson told supporters he had “advised of the difficulty in dealing with agents, competing with the Premier League and even the Championship” when explaining the club’s slow start to the window. He added that Celtic are actively pursuing out-of-contract players as an alternative route into the market.

The admission follows previous frustration voiced publicly by former manager Brendan Rodgers over the club’s approach to strengthening the squad, with fans similarly airing grievances over a perceived lack of investment throughout last season despite Celtic securing a domestic league and cup double.

The minutes state that O’Neill himself told the Celtic board his squad is “not strong enough to compete” and is in “major need of signings” heading into the new campaign, despite last term’s success.

O’Neill favours a younger squad

The Celtic manager reportedly outlined a strategy of targeting younger players, telling the board they have “better drive, ambition and are more suited to Celtic because they can be developed and aren’t swayed as much by wages” compared with more established, higher-earning alternatives.

Nicholson also used the meeting to reveal that the club have finalised a long-term strategic plan, stating the aim is “to be the best club in Scotland, to be financially sound, and to compete in Europe” — a framework likely to shape recruitment policy for seasons to come.

Pre-season under way with tests to come

Celtic’s pre-season has so far brought mixed results, with a 1-1 draw against Shelbourne followed by a 4-1 defeat to Sporting. The club still face further tests against Middlesbrough and AC Milan before their competitive campaign begins against Dundee in the Premiership on 3 August.

With the transfer window still open, attention will now turn to whether Celtic can add further reinforcements before the new season starts, amid growing supporter unease over the pace of business at a club that continues to insist financial sustainability remains a priority alongside on-field ambition.

Sources

• Sky Sports
• BBC Sport

This is an independent report written from the facts across the sources named above.