Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert has warned that the Scottish champions are "nowhere near good enough" for the season ahead unless they strengthen the squad further, though he stopped short of calling for panic. His comments come after a quiet transfer window in which Celtic have made only one signing, while several expected returns and a key sale have further thinned the squad ahead of Champions League qualifying and the new domestic campaign.

Striker Camilo Duran is so far the club's sole summer arrival, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new permanent contract after a short-term deal. However, hoped-for returns for Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi have fallen through, with Iheanacho joining Bursaspor and Saracchi confirming his exit on social media, while defender Maik Nawrocki has been sold to Lens. Chief executive Michael Nicholson has acknowledged Celtic are finding the market "difficult" amid competition from English clubs, and Lambert believes around £8-10m needs to be spent on recruitment infrastructure alone. Celtic begin their competitive season at home to Dundee on 3 August before entering the Champions League play-off round later that month.