Celtic’s Dolberg debacle labelled as “embarrassing”

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The Celtic Star

·12 septembre 2025

Celtic’s Dolberg debacle labelled as “embarrassing”

Journalist David Friel has labelled Celtic’s Kasper Dolberg debacle as “embarrassing,” laying into the club’s non-existent recruitment strategy…

AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Dolberg Kasper forward of RSC Anderlecht in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025 26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28 08 2025 Athens Greece Photo: IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir

The Danish forward appeared poised to join Celtic on deadline day, but Ajax swooped in at the last minute and Dolberg eventually returned to the Dutch giants.

Vidéos OneFootball

However, Celtic ought to have moved swiftly if they were serious about signing him as mentioned by the Herlad’s Stephen McGowan in his column last week.

Now, according to Friel, everyone knew Ajax was likely to intervene in the transfer, yet according to the nameless executives at Celtic, the failure of the transfer isn’t on them – it’s down to other clubs valuation for their own players, the media, agents, UEFA or anyone else they can point fingers at apart from themselves.

AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Kasper Dolberg forward of RSC Anderlecht with a laser in his eyes during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28/08/2025 Athens Greece. Photo IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir

Journalist David Friel told Go Ballistic that Celtic’s approach left the club highly vulnerable. “Kasper Dolberg is a prime example. Speaking to people in Belgium, it was an open secret that Ajax were going to come in for him,” he said.

“And I know everybody’s saying, ‘Oh, this domino effect, etc., etc.’ I don’t for a minute think that Sunderland, after Marc Guehi gets recalled by Chelsea, suddenly think we’ll just go and spend £25m on Bryan Brobby from Ajax. A deal like that is weeks, months in the making.”

The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

Friel added: “For Celtic to put all their eggs in one basket with Kasper Dolberg and not get it over the line was embarrassing in the end.

‘What is happening with the recruitment? What is going on with the process?’

“And listen, the player can only come if he wants to, right? I get that and players [deals]fall down. But you don’t have a plan B, you don’t have a plan C, and you end up scrambling about trying to get free agents the day after.

“But then you put out statement saying ‘Oh, it’s not really our fault’; it’s just excuses. You can understand why fans are thinking, ‘What is happening with the recruitment? What is going on with the process?’

The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

Celtic missing out on Dolberg was indeed highly embarrassing. The club left themselves exposed on the final day of the window having not replaced players in the forward areas. The Dolberg debacle left the club scrambling about for EPL rejects and free agents. For Celtic supporters it was the final straw and the first protest will be happening at the start of the game on Sunday at Rugby Park when Celtic take on Kilmarnock.

Late Entry Protest v Kilmarnock On Sunday, stay outside until the 12th minute to demonstrate your discontent of the board.
– jeudi 11 septembre 2025

Conor Spence

More from Conor Spence on the next page…

Go Ahead Eagles at Celtic Park in 1965. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Irony of Go Ahead Eagles launching a Celtic themed European kit

Go Ahead Eagles European Kit with a nod to their first opponents, Celtic back in 1965.

Ironically enough, Go Ahead Eagles has launched a commemorative kit that honours Celtic in celebration of a 60-year anniversary…

Celtic v Go Ahead Eagles at Celtic Park in 1965. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Go Ahead Eagles European Kit with a nod to their first opponents, Celtic back in 1965.

The Dutch side faced Celtic at Celtic Park in their debut European fixture in 1965, and they are now commemorating that milestone six decades later.

The jersey is predominantly green with white striping across the top, and the Eredivisie club intends to use it in their upcoming Europa League matches against Salzburg and Nice, subject to UEFA’s authorisation.

😍 𝙀𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙞𝙩 Vanaf nu exclusief verkrijgbaar via de Go Ahead Eagles-webshop
– mardi 9 septembre 2025

Announcing the kit to their supporters on X, they said: “The shirt is predominantly white with green stripes, a nod to the match against Celtic. And for good reason: 2025 marks exactly sixty years since we played our first match in Europe. The sixty green stripes on the shirt symbolise this special anniversary.”

Missing Attachment

“Our boys will wear this unique kit during the Europa League away matches in Salzburg and Nice. This is, of course, subject to UEFA approval.”

Go Ahead Eagles at Celtic Park in 1965. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Interestingly, this follows a summer in which a Go Ahead Eagles senior executive criticised Celtic for the way they managed their pursuit of winger Jakob Breum. Celtic’s derisory bids for the young winger were laughed out of town with the Go Ahead Eagles directors making their feelings public.

Speaking about Celtic’s failed transfer bids to sign Breum, Go Ahead Eagles sporting director Marc van Hintum said: “No, that transfer wasn’t close.”

ZUTPHEN , 26-07-2025 , Sportcomplex Hanzepark , season 2025 / 2026 , Dutch Pre-season football . friendly match between Go Ahead Eagles and Al-Duhail GA Eagles player Jakob Breum celebrating the goal scored 4-2 Go Ahead Eagles – Al-Duhail friendly. Photo IMAGO

“The gap between what we were asking for and what Celtic was willing to pay was simply too big. Jakob was open to it, but there was no agreement with Celtic. And of course, we ultimately had a say in that.”

“The amount we asked for was very realistic and in line with the market, especially considering how things went with Oliver Antman. Of course, Jakob was disappointed, but he handled it fantastically. I expect him to shine again this season.”

PS it’s a nice kit!

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.