Celtic do not have the necessary time to effectively integrate any more new signings into their squad before their Champions League play-off against LASK.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the tie poses a significant “banana skin” for the Bhoys.
Martin O’Neill’s men are set to welcome the Austrian side to Parkhead for the first leg on 19 August, before the decisive second leg on 25 August.
Wyness believes that while the draw is not the hardest that Celtic could have received, it is also far from the easiest outcome.
LASK won the Austrian Bundesliga last term, and have posed a significant threat to British clubs in Europe in the past.
Celtic know that they are now just one round away from a lucrative spot in the league phase of the Champions League, but Wyness is adamant that it will not be a straightforward task to get there.
Keith Wyness: Martin O’Neill wrong over new signings
Aberdeen’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs – believes that O’Neill is wrong that there is still time for new additions to be integrated into the squad before the clashes with LASK.
The veteran boss referenced the need to prepare for Europe after Monday’s win over Dundee, but Wyness is adamant that the board have left it too late to make the right additions.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he made it clear that the fans’ frustration is sure to boil over if their team are knocked out.
“In terms of scale, I would put it in the middle of difficulty. It’s not the worst, and it’s not the easiest. Look, they’re a very good side, they’re efficient,” Wyness said.
“They’d better go get a three-nil lead or something like that to go away to Austria because this is not an easy side and this is another big banana skin.
“I saw O’Neill’s interview after the Dundee game, saying they were rusty and he’s also calling for more signings and saying he needs more bodies in before the LASK game.
“He was saying, well, don’t worry, it’s another couple of weeks until Europe. I can still get players in and still get them integrated. Well, I’m afraid you can’t.
“The importance of this LASK tie cannot be overrated. It’s a huge, huge tie for Celtic. If they get knocked out, all hell will break loose in the fan base. I’d say they’ve made it tougher on themselves than it should be for this.”
Celtic ahead of Rangers in Fares Ghedjemis chase
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Celtic are ahead of Rangers in the race to sign Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis in the final month of the transfer window.
The Algerian international is a long-term target for the Bhoys, who recently saw a bid rejected for the 23-year-old.
Ghedjemis helped Frosinone to earn promotion back to Serie A last term, and it is expected to be a “difficult” deal for Celtic to do, given the Italian side’s desire to keep their star man.
The wideman netted 15 goals in league action last term, and also has interest from a whole host of other Serie A clubs.
