‘How has this fraud Nicholson still got a job’ ‘January 19!’ ‘More summits than signings’ Celtic fans anger at Transfer Summit

For the second time in four days the Daily Record are reporting that Celtic are hosting a transfer summit.

Hopefully tonight’s summit will be more successful than Friday’s version.

While Celtic fans are naturally sceptical of anything published in the Record this one isn’t to be dismissed.

BEST OF BUDDIES- CELTIC AND THE RECORD

Celtic and the Record are the firmest of friends, close partners. Appreciative of the role each other offers.

Last week the Record was chosen to tarnish the reputation of Jota. They are top of the invite list for media conferences and matchday access.

Last month they went to town with the open blade fantasy from the 2-1 defeat at Tannadice. Again, given the red carpet treatment of media access after that complete fabrication of a story to trash those anti-establishment fans.

Fan media has been ‘under review’ by Celtic since the start of December.

What a Celtic transfer summit actually looks like is terrifying to delve into.

Does Michael Nicholson ask Martin O’Neill and Chris McKay for updates on their progress over the last fortnight?

Is O’Neill demanding actions and answers from the undynamic duo?

Does anyone have a clue how to complete a transfer in 2026.

Clearly the last two transfer windows were masterminded by Tisdale Productions.

With the Football Doctor gone it seems so to has everything recruitment related.

O’NEILL CAUGHT UP IN TIME

It is 13 years since O’Neill was involved in a January transfer window.

During that time Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth have emerged, showing how an efficient recruitment department is run.

O’Neill has walked into a system shaped by Mark Lawwell and Paul Tisdale. Both recruited by Nicholson.

How does O’Neill diplomatically put it to his CEO that the set up he has overseen is utterly hopeless.

How does he discuss finances with Chris McKay when he can’t do anything meaningful until he has been given approval from Dermot Desmond?

PUSHING O’NEILL TOO FAR

At the age of 73 O’Neill shouldn’t be thrown into this situation.

At an absolute push he should be focussed on getting a squad of players through a challenging series of matches.

Instead he is having to create a recruitment operation alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.

That seems to involve assessing players forwarded by friendly agents and circulated by clubs keen to move players on.

At this stage it is hard to see any game changers joining Celtic in the final fortnight of the transfer window.

It is a stretch to see anyone being signed at this stage that will impact on Sunday’s game at Tynecastle.

And if things go badly against Hearts it is likely to be too late in the day to halt the un-managed decline created by CEO Nicholson.