Brendan Rodgers is still hoping to get players signed in time for the three match trip to the USA.
Matches against DC United, currently in mid-season, Manchester City and Chelsea will provide tough tests and the ideal opportunity to settle new players into the squad.
Seven weeks ago Rodgers guided what was basically Ange Postecoglou’s squad to success in the final of the Scottish Cup to secure a double which seemed unlikely at times through January, February and March.
Since the celebrations at Hampden Joe Hart has returned, there has been no u-turn on his February announcement with Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah returning to Benfica and Norwich after combining for the Scottish Cup winning goal.
After two friendly matches against Championship opposition that put ‘minutes in legs’ Rodgers will welcome back most of his international players to training next week ahead of flying out to the USA with the first match on July 20 against DC United.
The lack of transfer activity is becoming a growing concern among supporters, increased by the news that Atalanta are on the trail of Matt O’Riley.
Scott Bain has started the matches against Ayr United and Queens Park, asked about progress towards signing a goalkeeper Rodgers told The Sun:
It’s natural to ask that question because we’re a club that needs to improve the squad. I mentioned before about getting at least a couple in before we go to America. That’s still the idea.
We all know we lost three players and they were very important players for us. That alone demonstrates we need to make that right and we also have to improve.
There doesn’t appear to be any deals about to be completed over the weekend, talks seem to be continuing with Benfica and Norwich over Bernardo and Idah with both of those clubs playing matches this weekend.
As well as needing a first choice goalkeeper it would seem that a left-back and another striker are transfer priorities.
Alexandro Bernabei was sent out on loan earlier this year leaving Greg Taylor as the only left-back with top team experience.
Celtic were linked with Owen Beck in January but there seems to have been no follow up on that with Birmingham believed to be keen to bring him in from Liverpool.
With the European Championships ending this weekend the optimistic are expecting transfer activity to pick up but after four transfer windows that have only provided Alastair Johnston as a first team players Celtic fans will be hoping that Rodgers gets his way with first team ready players joining the squad that flies to the USA.
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