Callum McGregor’s reinforcements plea to Celtic Board | OneFootball

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor has admitted that the side’s need for reinforcements is even more evident after their shock Champions League exit against Kairat Almaty on Tuesday…

Celtic line up Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Brendan Rodgers’ side suffered a penalty shootout defeat in Kazakhstan after the two teams could not be separated after 120 minutes, with Celtic miss rate being 60% in the shoot out, worse than even in the Scottish Cup final penalty shoot out defeat to Aberdeen in May.

Maybe the Celtic players were watching Grimsby Town last night showing how it should be done? Looked like they’d been practising right enough.

Celtic will now continue their campaign in the Europa League slow lane this season, but captain McGregor maintains that the squad still requires more depth and much-needed quality.

Speaking via BBC Scotland, McGregor said: “Everyone has been quite vocal about what we need. We need help, we need the players, we need to have a strong squad if we want to compete on all fronts. That doesn’t change after tonight – the players still need help, [we]need bodies in the door.”

Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp takes a shot whilst under pressure from Jules Kounde of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 19, 2023 in Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Scotland’s transfer window is set to close next Monday. Ahead of the deadline, Celtic are anticipated to finalise loan and permanent moves for Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors and Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp.

Sky Sports reported yesterday that Balikwisha underwent his medical in London ahead of a £5 million permanent transfer.

When questioned on Wednesday night about whether the financial disparities between the Champions League and Europa League would affect Celtic’s activity before the transfer window closes, Rodgers responded simply: “I haven’t a clue, I really don’t know.”

Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Meanwhile, a report from Football League World state that Chris Davies’ Birmingham City are interested in Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun and there was speculation last night of Swansea interest in Adam Idah.

Adam Idah of Celtic appears dejected after missing a penalty during the shootout Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025. Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

With Rodgers’ men only carrying three wingers in their squad just now it would seem bizarre to allow Yang to leave given the lack of options in the wide areas. However, if Celtic close in on a deal with Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti, Yang could be allowed to depart.

While Dermot Desmond and the Celtic Board’s gamble of not signing players prior to the two-legged Champions League qualifier spectacularly failing, the transfer window has just become that bit harder given it will be Thursday night European football rather than Tuesday or Wednesday’s for the foreseeable.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.

More Stories / Latest News

Callum McGregor’s reinforcements plea to Celtic Board

Aug 28 2025, 8:38

Championship side linked with shock move for Celtic’s Adam Idah

Aug 27 2025, 23:47

Report claims Celtic interested in Roma left-back Anass Salah-Eddine

Aug 27 2025, 17:58