Celtic

We asked for your views after Celtic signed striker Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year deal with an option of a further 12 months.

Here are some of your comments:

Patrick: Iheanacho needs to score goals, simple as that. The furore isn't his fault, but if he doesn't perform you can guarantee it won't be long before he's blamed too, and rightly so. These are professional goalscorers, if they don't score goals then why are they being paid? I wish my job worked that way!

Shug: Another has-been from Brendan Rodgers' bargain basement of old cronies. At best, Iheanacho has a one-in-four strike rate, which is not acceptable at the top level. He has only scored four goals (in lower leagues) in the past 15 months, and has not played for five months. He may be lost to Africa Cup of Nations duties. Brendan's done a great job for Sevilla in taking this expensive failure off their hands and off their payroll. Celtic fans should be grateful, and do what Brendan tells them.

Benny: A panic buy at best. He's no more prolific or better than either Adam Idah or Johnny Kenny, and certainly not anywhere near as good as Kyogo Furuhashi. I hope he proves me wrong but I think it's a total waste of funds paying wages to a player who has not done well over the last few seasons wherever he has been. This will not fool anyone and will not paper over the ever-widening cracks in our recruitment shambles.

John: Three players signed knowing that over the festive period they will be at Afcon, leaving us short for the New Year derby and with a busy schedule. Any injuries and we will suffer. Hand the title to Ibrox now. Celtic board are responsible and Brendan will also go in January.

Bren: Don't ask how many goals Iheanacho has scored recently - three in the last 18 months. Hasn't played for five months. He gets on well with Brendan, and Brendan gets on well with Dermot Desmond. That's all that matters. Brendan will tell them all what to think. Welcome your new has-been "golden boy" and keep paying your season tickets.

Tommy: Time for a boycott of all Celtic merchandise and matchday produce. Michael Nicholson should be fired for a dereliction of duty and Peter Lawwell, it's time to go, quickly and quietly.

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Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson says Celtic's transfer window has turned what was a "one-horse race" in the Scottish Premiership to a two, or potentially even a three-horse race.

Neilson believes the pressure is on Celtic as their rivals have spent big in strengthening their squads while Brendan Rodgers' side have spent relatively low.

"Right through the transfer window Celtic were waiting to see whether they qualified for the Champions League before they went and spent, whether it was spending high or spending low," said Neilson on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Obviously, they didn't make the Champions League group stages and it looks to me as if they're spending low.

"When you look at what's happened at the other side of the city, the money that's getting spent there, there's definitely pressure now getting put in on Celtic.

"At the start of the season, I said it was probably going to be a one-horse race. Now I think it's potentially a two, maybe even a three, if you look at what Hearts have done."

Forward Kasper Dolberg, who had been linked with Celtic, chose to join Ajax from Anderlecht because it "felt like it was right", according to the player's agent. (Sun), external

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglu is emerging as a candidate for Fenerbahce and Bayer Leverkusen after Tottenham Hotspur sacked the Australian at the end of last season. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Striker Shin Yamada has not been included in Celtic's Europa League squad.

Recent arrivals Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Marcelo Saracchi, Sebastian Tounetki and Kelechi Iheanacho are in the 25-strong group.

But there is no place for Yamada or fellow summer signings Hayato Inamura, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Callum Osmand.

Yamada, 25, has made five appearances for Brendan Rodgers' side since his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale, featuring as a 65th-minute substitute in Sunday's 0-0 draw away to Rangers.

Alistair Johnston is listed as the Canada full-back recovers from injury, as is winger Yang Hyun-Jun after a proposed deadline day move to Birmingham City fell through.

Celtic start away to Red Star Belgrade on 24 September and also meet Braga, Sturm Graz, Midtjylland, Feyenoord, Roma, Bologna and Utrecht.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

For a team at the top of the Premiership and facing Partick Thistle for a place in yet another cup semi-final, this may at first sight appear an odd question: Are Celtic there for the taking this season?

One of their worst performances at Ibrox in years came near the end of a transfer window which has exasperated their manager and fanbase alike.

The discontent from some supporters over the number and quality of their recent signings is audible, visible and visceral.

There are more than a few claiming a downright dereliction of duty from the board. I've yet to hear many openly voice concern about their domestic prospects, but is their Premiership title now at risk?

They might have a real challenge for the first time since 2021, when Rangers won the league and then started the next season by establishing a healthy lead over Ange Postecoglou's new-look squad.

A challenge could well come from Ibrox, as Russell Martin's men surely won't be as bad going forward as they have been in the opening four league fixtures.

The 12 new faces brought in by the new American regime at Rangers will take time to gel but the emergence of at least a backbone in the drab derby is potentially a sign of better things to come.

Hibs and Hearts have recruited well, with the Tynecastle side matching the champions point for point so far and David Gray's outfit more than holding their own against Legia Warsaw, Partizan Belgrade and Midtjylland in Europe.

How Aberdeen must rue giving Celtic and Hearts a 10-point start this season, having captured Stuart Armstrong, Jesper Karlsson and Kevin Nisbet in the past few days.

It looks at this early stage that this could be the most competitive Premiership in years.

On current form that can't be good news for Celtic, who were totally toothless against Kairat and Rangers for over 300 minutes of incredibly dour football.

They are now completely shorn of the 53 goals knocked in last term by Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah.

Is Kelechi Iheanacho the answer? He scored 19 goals for Brendan Rodgers on the way to winning the FA Cup with Leicester in 2021, but has only hit double figures in a season three times in his career and was hugely underwhelming on loan at Middlesbrough in the second half of last season.

The drop in Celtic's performance levels in recent months has been stark. The manager hasn't even been playing some of the players signed in the window just closed. A damning indictment given Rodgers said better competition might spark some life back into his side.

Unless Iheanacho and fellow new boys Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha deliver that - and quickly - Celtic's Premiership monopoly may face serious questions.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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At age 28, Kelechi Iheanacho is "in his peak years" and can be a "great signing" for Celtic, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

But the Nigeria striker arrives amid a maelstrom of supporter discontent at the Scottish champions and must overcome doubts over his fitness and form if he is to prove more than a last-gasp panic arrival.

His first task will be to get up to speed. Iheanacho has not played since May, a late substitute appearance in Nigeria's 2-2 friendly draw with Jamaica.

He comes to Celtic after struggling at Sevilla, whom he joined last summer. Iheanacho failed to score in nine La Liga appearances - his three goals came against lower-league opposition in the Copa Del Rey - and was sent on loan in January to Middlesbrough, netting once in 15 outings.

He is undoubtedly a high-calibre talent though. On the international stage, Iheanacho has netted 15 goals in 58 caps, including helping Nigeria to a runners-up finish in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was marked out for stardom at an early age. Nominated for the Fifa Golden Boy award in 2016 at age 16, Iheanacho made his Manchester City debut at 18 and went on to score 21 goals in 64 games before a £25m move to Leicester City in 2017.

He came under current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers' tutelage at the Foxes two years later, and the FA Cup-winning campaign of 2020-21 was the most productive of the striker's career, yielding 19 goals. In all, his Leicester haul of 61 goals - plus 36 assists - in 232 matches is not the most terrible record.

So can Rodgers coax productive form out of Iheanacho again? The trouble is his move comes amid a backdrop of fan fury at Celtic's chaotic summer transfer window, where they sold Adam Idah to Swansea - leaving them further short up front after Kyogo Furuhashi's January exit - then failed to bring in a striker before the deadline.

The solution was Iheanacho, a free agent after his Sevilla contract was terminated. The striker - and Celtic - have much to prove in the months ahead.

What do you make of the Iheanacho signing? Can he provide the goals required to help Celtic make a Europa League impact and continue their domestic dominance?

Share your views here.

Celtic made enquiries over potential moves for former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford and former Nottingham Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis before sealing a deal for another free agent in Kelechi Iheanacho. (Herald), external

Elfsborg captain and former Sweden midfielder Johan Larsson says he would rather have Aberdeen loanee Jesper Karlsson over Celtic winger Benjamin Nygren. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic hero Chris Sutton thinks his former side have let Rangers into the title race with their underwhelming transfer business and envisages a situation where attendances drop at Parkhead as a result. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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A prominent Celtic fans group has called on chief executive Michael Nicholson to explain the Scottish champions' "failure to strengthen the squad" this summer and "the disarray witnessed on the final evening of the transfer window".

Celtic failed to sign a replacement for Adam Idah despite manager Brendan Rodgers saying the Irishman would not be allowed to leave for Swansea City without one being lined up.

The Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, which was founded in 1986 and represents fans worldwide, has issued a statement expressing "growing concern over the club's current trajectory and apparent lack of ambition".

It says this has come "despite robust financial results" and despite concerns expressed by Rodgers and club captain Callum McGregor.

"The recurring failure to adequately prepare for key European fixtures has become a troubling pattern, raising serious questions about the club's strategy, planning and competitive priorities," it adds.

"We call on CEO Michael Nicholson to provide a clear and direct explanation to supporters and shareholders – outlining the club's long-term vision, its commitment to genuine footballing ambition and the rationale behind the lack of visible progress in this summer's transfer window.

"At a time when decisive leadership is needed, continued silence only deepens frustration.

"Celtic's support demands transparency, accountability and a plan that reflects both the aspirations of our fanbase and the full potential of Celtic Football Club.

"These concerns have been further compounded by the disarray witnessed on the final evening of the transfer window."

Tino
Fan writer

How on earth did we end up here?

Just over six months ago, our club was standing shoulder to shoulder with one of Europe's most formidable forces.

Under the bright lights of the Allianz Arena, we pushed German giants Bayern Munich to the edge, giving them a genuine scare in their own back yard.

That night felt like a statement of intent - a glimpse of what could be.

Yet fast forward to today, and the optimism of that evening has been replaced with growing dismay after one of the most shambolic transfer windows in Celtic's recent history.

And that, given our past failings, is saying something.

The central question now is simple: what must Brendan Rodgers be thinking?

For weeks, the manager has made it abundantly clear reinforcements were needed at the top end of the pitch.

Instead of backing him, the club's hierarchy sanctioned the sale of yet another centre forward (Adam Idah), leaving us frighteningly short of options.

This, remember, is on top of the fact we never truly replaced Kyogo Furuhashi after his abrupt departure more than seven months ago.

It's an incredible way to conduct business - and not in the admirable sense of the word.

Fans are left bewildered as to how a team with supposedly genuine European ambitions could weaken itself so significantly in such a short time.

Naturally, speculation now turns to Rodgers himself. Could he decide to walk away in frustration at the club's repeated failings and amateur approach to transfers?

At a reported £3m a year, his salary makes that scenario unlikely, but the possibility of a "mutual parting of ways" cannot be dismissed.

And if that happens, just where would that leave us? What manager with any credibility would step into such working conditions?

Beyond the boardroom drama, though, lies the heart of the matter: the supporters.

Week after week, fans continue to honour their side of the bargain - purchasing season tickets, buying merchandise, and backing the team.

Yet their support is met with decisions that leave us utterly bewildered as to the direction the club is heading in.

From Bayern Munich to transfer chaos, the journey of the past six months has been staggering.

Unless urgent action is taken to steady the ship, this season could be remembered not for promise fulfilled, but for opportunities squandered.

And it has all been so avoidable.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti aims to bring a creative spark to Celtic after signing from Hammarby.

The Norway-born 23-year-old was Celtic's only signing on deadline day, joining from the Swedish side on a five-year deal for a reported £5.5m fee.

"I'm a typical dribbler, I like to attack," Tounekti told Celtic TV. "I don't like to pass back when I have the chance to attack.

"If it's one or two players, I like to take on players, try to make something happen and of course try to produce goals and assists, because at the end of the day it's about winning games. I'm looking forward to helping the team."

Tounekti, who has two Tunisia caps, scored three goals in 23 appearances after joining Hammarby in February.

He sees his move to Celtic as the ideal chance to further develop his talents.

"It's an amazing feeling, I'm really happy to be here and to be a Celtic player," he said.

"I know this is a massive club. When you speak about Celtic, you know it's a historic club.

"They win titles almost every year and it's such a big club so it's a big honour to be a part of this great club.

"For me, I want to develop and being at Celtic is the best place, I think I can develop here. To be in a club that wins games and titles is the best thing for a player at my age."

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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The flurry of signings Celtic fans and manager Brendan Rodgers craved on deadline day failed to materialise.

Just one player - Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti - arrived, while Adam Idah was allowed to join Swansea despite Rodgers' insistence a few days prior that the striker was going nowhere unless a replacement had been secured.

With Kyogo Furuhashi not adequately replaced following his exit in January, Celtic already needed one striker. Now they are two short.

The mooted signing later today of former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is now a free agent after his Sevilla contract was cancelled, will do little to quell fan anger.

Celtic hoped to complete a deal for Anderlecht's £8m striker Kasper Dolberg on deadline day, only to miss out on the Denmark international who is seemingly bound to return to Ajax.

That left the Scottish champions frantically scrambling in the final hours of the window.

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana reportedly snubbed Celtic in favour of English League One Charlton, only for the move to ultimately fall through. Strasbourg's Sekou Mara was another forward linked, but no dice there either.

So when the dust settled on Celtic's summer business as the window closed, it was quite the anti-climax for a disaffected support.

Rodgers is left with raw summer arrival Shin Yamada, Callum Osmand - who has been playing for the B team - and 22-year-old fringe player Johnny Kenny as his other striker options behind Daizen Maeda, who will have to be moved from the left wing to fill the vacant slot.

And even Tounekti's acquisition prompts questions. Rodgers is quoted as saying the winger can "operate on both sides" yet the 23-year-old clearly favours the left, having played 70 games on that flank compared to just eight on the right.

With recent signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha - who looked reluctant to take players on during his debut in Sunday's derby draw at Ibrox - and Maeda also left-sided players, is there now an imbalance with Celtic overstocked on that side and light on the right?

Wherever they are deployed, both Balikwisha and Tounekti have a high bar to reach in attempting to emulate the impact of winger Nicolas Kuhn, who departed for Como this summer.

And what does this underwhelming window mean for Rodgers' future? Having repeatedly called for reinforcements for months, his squad were bundled out of the Champions League in ignominious fashion by Kairat Almaty, and rigorous Europa League and domestic demands now lie ahead.

Celtic fans, we want your take on the club's transfer window. Is the squad ill-equipped for the season or does it still have enough quality? And what about Rodgers and the board?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Celtic have made contact with former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, whose contract with Sevilla was mutually terminated on deadline day. (Scottish Sun), external

Despite a potential move for free agent Iheanacho, Celtic hero Chris Sutton says Brendan Rodgers' side are weaker now than they were at the start of the window. (Chris Sutton on X), external

Former Celtic goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist has also had a dig at the club's lack of transfer business on deadline day, saying "some things never change" on social media. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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There could be three or four new faces arriving at Celtic this evening, with Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg and Hammarby winger Sebastian Tounekti targets.

However, there are strong suggestions Dolberg could now be heading back to former club Ajax.

They're also looking at Sekou Mara from Strasbourg and Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who has been linked with Rangers.

Adam Idah and Yang Hyun-Jun are expected to head out.

Watch analysis from Sportscene pundit Peter Grant on what Celtic need in the closing hours of the transfer window.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers (0.15) and Celtic (0.17) ended Sunday's derby with a combined expected goals rating of 0.32. In short, that is bad. Very bad.

In fact, it is the lowest total accumulated in a Premiership game since the xG stat became a thing in the 2019-20 season.

Essentially, that means the quality of chances both sides created amounted to very, very little.

Rangers had no shots on target - the first time they had failed to do so in a league game since an Old Firm derby in January 2021.

Meanwhile, Celtic had just two. At the half-time whistle, Rodgers' side had not even attempted an effort - a first for them in a league match since November 2017.

That also means they are the only Premiership team to fail to register a first-half goal attempt against Rangers this term.

Motherwell had two, Dundee had three and St Mirren had eight. Even third-tier Alloa Athletic had multiple efforts in the first half of their League Cup defeat at Ibrox earlier this month.

Rodgers' men had played extra-time and penalties in their Champions League exit on Tuesday before a 3,500-mile trip home from Kazakhstan, but that is still a sobering statistic for a Celtic side struggling at the top end of the pitch.

Rangers, however, can take comfort from that given they were a defensive mess in their six-goal defeat away to Club Brugge on Wednesday.

"I was really proud with the response," Martin told BBC Scotland. "Especially the guys who haven't played much recently.

"We need to show that level of togetherness all the time. We've got something to build on."