Another player linked with Celtic appears to be heading elsewhere while those responsible for recruitment at Parkhead continue to hesitate.
Swansea City have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Motherwell attacking midfielder Elijah Just, leaving Celtic supporters facing yet another familiar and deeply frustrating question: why does this club continually fail to turn supposed interest into decisive action?
Just was not an unknown player hidden in some distant league. He was operating in the Scottish Premiership, right under Celtic’s nose. His performances, physical qualities, mentality and suitability could all have been assessed closely without the need for an elaborate scouting operation.
Yet Swansea appear to have identified what they wanted, entered negotiations and moved towards completing the deal.
Celtic, meanwhile, are once again left associated with a player they will not be signing.
Nobody can guarantee that Just would have become a major success at Celtic. That is not the point. The concern is the pattern. Celtic identify players, monitor them, consider them and seemingly wait until another club takes control of the situation.
Supporters are constantly told that transfers are complicated. Agents are difficult. Fees are demanding. Competition is fierce. But other clubs still manage to negotiate deals, agree terms and strengthen their squads.
Celtic urgently need more attacking quality, pace and creativity. The club possesses enormous financial advantages, a huge support and the attraction of European football. Yet the recruitment operation continues to look ponderous, reactive and painfully slow.
Every missed target increases the pressure on Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and those responsible for building the squad. They cannot continue behaving as though time is unlimited.
Elijah Just may succeed at Swansea or he may not. But Celtic’s repeated inability to convert interest into signings is becoming impossible to dismiss.
Another player identified. Another club acts first. Another one bites the dust.
