Dermot Desmond’s appearance at Celtic’s pre-season draw with Shelbourne raised more than a few eyebrows. The club’s majority shareholder is rarely seen at ordinary fixtures, so his presence in Dublin inevitably attracted attention.
If there was one message he should have taken away from Tolka Park, it is that this Celtic squad still needs fresh blood.
Supporters have spent weeks voicing their concerns over the lack of meaningful transfer business. They have watched rival clubs strengthen while Celtic continue to delay. Seeing the squad in person should have reinforced what fans have been saying all summer.
The performance wasn’t disastrous, but it underlined the need for greater quality, depth and competition across the pitch. With the new Premiership season fast approaching and Champions League qualifiers on the horizon, the margin for hesitation is rapidly disappearing.
Desmond now has no excuse for claiming he hasn’t seen it for himself. He sat alongside senior figures at the club and witnessed a team that still requires investment if Celtic are to compete at the level supporters expect.
For too long, the club’s transfer strategy has felt reactive rather than ambitious. Celtic supporters continue to invest their money and their passion through season tickets, merchandise and away travel. They deserve to see that commitment matched in the boardroom.
If Dermot Desmond made the trip to assess the squad, then the conclusion should be obvious. It is time to loosen the purse strings, back the recruitment team properly and deliver the quality this squad still lacks.
The time for watching is over. The time for investing is now. Hail Hail.
And who are the recruitment team?