Celtic’s Slow Summer Transfer Window. Rinse. Repeat.

With manager Martin O’Neill in the hospital this week following a “small” surgical procedure—to use the club’s wording—there has been little news about transfers, even as the all-important Champions’ League playoff against Austrian side LASK approaches (the first leg is scheduled for August 19^th).

Seriously, stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

After a disaster of a transfer window last summer—one that set up a season of discord in and around the club—the Hoops haven’t been completely inactive this time around, adding attackers Camillo Duran and Kasper Høgh to a squad seriously lacking in goal threats.

But with gaps to fill up and down the lineup, including at both wing positions and cover at left back, the lack of movement has been a head-scratcher, at best, and perhaps a pending crisis of the club’s own making.

Midfielder Arne Engels may be a divisive figure among the Celtic support, but his return from injury in the spring helped fuel the team’s run to the domestic double. It doesn’t hurt that captain Callum McGregor seems to enjoy playing with him. If reports of his departure to West Ham are true, he’ll need to be replaced.

Similarly, Celtic will need to find another right back if, as reports suggest, Alistair Johnston, universally liked among the support (and, not to mention, a top player) is off to Everton.

Meanwhile, talisman Daizen Maeda, already out the door (to Ipswich) has only sort of been replaced, with Duran.

Unless something happens in the next few days, Celtic appears set to be shorthanded—again—for that Champions’ League playoff. Should they not sign reinforcements and lose the tie, supporter revolt is sure to follow.

We obviously hope O’Neill is fine and recovers fully. But unless things change, and soon, he may want to remain out on leave.