Celtic transfer necessities rated: Three key areas Martin O'Neill must strengthen before summer deadline

Celtic head into the final days of the summer transfer window knowing that further additions are required if they are to strengthen their squad for the demands of the season ahead.

The Scottish Premiership champions have already been active, but recent developments have highlighted areas where Martin O’Neill’s squad still looks short.

With Celtic facing a Europa League campaign alongside their domestic commitments, squad depth will be crucial for the veteran manager. O’Neill has specifically identified left-back and a box-to-box midfielder as priority areas, while the club are also working on further reinforcements.

With that in mind, here is how Celtic’s remaining transfer necessities should be rated.

Left-back — 9/10

This looks like Celtic’s most obvious priority. Kieran Tierney’s return provided experience and quality, but concerns over his fitness and availability mean Celtic cannot afford to rely on just one established option for the position. Greater depth on the left side of defence is essential.

It is a position where Celtic should be prepared to act rather than settle. The European schedule will demand players capable of handling repeated games, and the Hoops need genuine competition rather than simply another squad player.

Box-to-box midfielder — 9/10

This is arguably just as important. The departure or potential absence of key midfielders has left Celtic requiring more energy, athleticism and physical presence in the centre of the pitch. Arne Engels has left the club for West Ham United in a deal worth £22 million, while Reo Hatate has also been heavily linked with a deadline day exit.

Parma’s Oliver Sørensen has emerged as a reported target and is already in Glasgow after completing his medical in London on Monday afternoon. His versatility and physical qualities will offer O’Neill another option in an area where depth is increasingly important.

A midfielder capable of covering ground, contributing defensively and arriving in the final third should be high on Celtic’s list.

Goalkeeper — 7/10

Celtic’s need for another goalkeeper has become increasingly obvious as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. With Kasper Schmeichel retiring, Viljami Sinisalo has stepped into the role of first-choice keeper. The Finland international has shown promise, but Celtic currently have only Sinisalo and Ross Doohan listed as senior goalkeeping options.

That lack of depth is a major concern for a club competing on multiple fronts. The biggest reason for bringing in another goalkeeper is not necessarily a lack of faith in Sinisalo. Instead, Celtic need genuine competition for the position.

Sinisalo has relatively limited experience at the highest level, and asking him to shoulder the responsibility of being Celtic's undisputed number one throughout an entire season represents a significant gamble. The demands will be particularly high given Celtic's Europa League campaign and their pursuit of domestic honours. A more experienced goalkeeper would give O'Neill an alternative if Sinisalo struggles for form or suffers an injury.

Centre-back — 5/10

Another defender would be welcome, but it does not appear to represent the same level of urgency. Celtic have enough options at centre-back, meaning resources could arguably be better spent elsewhere. Unless there is a late departure, adding another player in this position would be more about strengthening the squad rather than addressing an immediate weakness.

Overall — 8/10

Celtic's transfer business cannot simply be judged by the number of players they bring through the door. The key is whether O’Neill can get the right profiles into the squad.

The need for reinforcement is particularly clear after Celtic's disappointing Champions League exit, when a four-goal advantage against LASK was surrendered. The subsequent Europa League campaign will still bring major tests, with Benfica, Celta Vigo, Besiktas and Marseille among their opponents.

Celtic therefore cannot afford to approach the final hours of the window passively. The biggest priorities should be a left-back and an energetic central midfielder, with further attacking depth considered if the right opportunity presents itself.

Interestingly, Celtic still have additional time compared with English clubs: the Scottish transfer window closes at 5pm on September 3rd, while the Premier League and EFL deadline is September 1st. That gives O’Neill and Celtic some breathing room, but expectations are high at Parkhead.

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