The sentiment among Celtic fans towards the club’s board has taken a notable turn for the worse following a January transfer window that many have found underwhelming.
Prominent Scottish football journalist, Stephen McGowan, has highlighted the growing discontent, drawing parallels to the dissatisfaction expressed during the COVID-affected season three years ago, particularly around the time Celtic were chasing a historic ten consecutive league titles.
The January window, described by McGowan as an act of “corporate negligence,” saw Celtic secure only two signings: Nicolas Kuhn, a £3 million winger, and a loan deal for Championship striker Adam Idah. These additions have not lived up to the expectations set by the club’s management, which had promised the acquisition of three to four quality players to strengthen the squad.
Fans haven’t been shy to voice their opinion, with a banner unveiled with chants against Peter Lawwell and the board heard in Celtic’s match against Aberdeen.
This disappointment comes against the backdrop of a financial position that suggested Celtic had the means to make significant investments in the squad. With substantial funds available, the failure to utilise this advantage in the transfer market has been a source of frustration.
Speaking on the Press Box Podcast, he said: “So many people are saying that it’s starting to feel like the 10-in-a-row season, where it felt like everything tried to go against them, and they were gunning for the board of directors then with some justification, but they have some justification now.
“The January transfer window was supposed to be Celtic’s get out of jail card, that was supposed to be the time that if they were struggling, they’ve got all this money in the bank, the £70 million or whatever it is, and they could spy 3 or 4 quality footballers, in the words of Brendan Rodgers.
“The trouble is you reap what you sow, when they had the chance to press home this financial advantage. Okay, they spent £3 million on Kuhn who scored yesterday off the bench, they signed Idah who had some good touches but is an inexperienced loan striker from the Championship.
“Dammingly they failed to secure the quality left-back that Brendan Rodgers wanted. That left him with an injured Greg Taylor pressing the hopeless Bernanei into the starting XI. So, I think the January from Celtic was an act of corporate negligence.”
