Celtic struggling to compete in transfer market – Nicholson

Celtic’s lack of summer transfer activity is because they are struggling to compete with English Championship clubs and deal with agents, according to the club’s chief executive Michael Nicholson.

The defending Scottish Premiership champions have only made one signing since the transfer window opened – Colombian forward Camilo Duran.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also extended his stay at the club after his short-term deal last season.

Former manager Brendan Rodgers spoke extensively about his frustration over a lack of additions, and supporters expressed their frustration at a perceived lack of spending throughout last season.

At the annual general meeting of the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs in Cork on 4 July, chairman Brian Wilson, manager Martin O’Neill and Nicholson took part in a question and answer session with supporters.

Minutes from the meeting have been released online, in which it says O’Neill told the Celtic board his squad is not strong enough to compete and is in “major need of signings” despite winning a league and cup double last term.

The board trio were asked why the club were “so slow” to recruit players, in response to which the minutes state Nicholson “advised of the difficulty in dealing with agents, competing with the Premier League and even the Championship”.

He added the club are actively trying to sign out-of-contract players.

O’Neill reportedly spoke of a focus on younger players, whom he said have “better drive, ambition and are more suited to Celtic because they can be developed and aren’t swayed as much by wages”.

The minutes also assert that Nicholson said Celtic have recently finalised a long-term strategy – “to be the best club in Scotland, to be financially sound, and to compete in Europe”.

Having drawn 1-1 with Shelbourne and lost 4-1 against Sporting in their pre-season friendlies to date, Celtic face Middlesbrough and AC Milan before their first competitive outing against Dundee in the Premiership on 3 August.