Preparing for these high-stakes matches, the here and now matters

The key message?

Celtic look lighter now than they did at the end of last season – and that’s not ideal with the Champions League qualifiers just around the corner.

Kieran Tierney’s return has rightly generated excitement. A player of his quality and Celtic credentials immediately raises the standard. Likewise, Benjamin Nygren arrives with promising pedigree, and there’s cautious optimism that he can offer something different going forward. But those positives are offset by the confirmed departure of Nicholas Kuhn to Como today, alongside the loss of Greg Taylor – a steady performer in recent campaigns – and the longer-term recovery still ahead for Jota.

Kuhn’s exit, now official, arguably opens the door for more decisive action in the wide areas.

The German’s been inconsistent under Brendan Rodgers but was devastating when on a going day.

That said, if the player was unconvinced Scotland was a safe enough environment to play his football –and the physicality didn’t appear to be in his comfort zone – then moving him on is understandable. But it does leave a gap – one that needs filling, and with someone ready to contribute, preferably from day one.

This has been a familiar pattern in recent windows. The club has tended to lean towards signing younger players with future value in mind, arguably stepping away slightly from that approach last summer, but looking as if they are returning to it again in this transfer window.

There’s a logic to that strategy, particularly in the modern transfer market.

But as Sutton rightly points out, when it comes to preparing for high-stakes matches like a Champions League qualifier, the here and now matters more than what someone might become two years down the line.

The signing of Callum Osmand fits that longer-term profile. The former Fulham forward is clearly talented, and his movement does impress, but he’s yet to make his professional debut at 19, and he remains a prospect rather than a proven solution. Hayato Inamura’s encouraging outing in Cork has earned him another look, but he too is a player for the future.

None of this is to dismiss those signings.

The Japanese market has been a fruitful one for Celtic, and it’s no surprise to see the club continue to explore it, as has cross border raids on West London.

But alongside those more speculative signings, there is a pressing need to add experienced, first-team-ready players – particularly in attack and out wide.

The return of pre-season fixtures and the upcoming matches against both Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle United will offer a better sense of where the team stands. But preparation for the season ahead needs to be more than just tactical fine-tuning. The squad still feels two or three key additions short of being ready for the level of challenge that awaits.

There’s certainly no panic – not yet, indeed this time last summer we hadn’t signed anyone, but we also didn’t have to qualify for the Champions League. But there is a clear opportunity for Celtic to act decisively in the market. Kuhn’s exit should free up both squad space and wages, and with the Champions League qualifiers fast approaching, it’s time to shift from speculation to certainty.

If there’s money to spend – and it’s widely accepted that there is plenty of it – then the moment to do it is now. Not in late August. Not after the qualifiers. Now.

The framework is there for another strong season. But to get the most out of it, Celtic must ensure they are fully equipped – not just for domestic success, but for European progression too.

The next few weeks will be telling. There’s no point having the equivalent of our annual turnover sitting in a bank account and not getting some of that out on the grass.