Celtic FC experienced a bustling transfer period in August, with a flurry of activity aimed at both strengthening the squad and offloading players. Manager Brendan Rodgers secured permanent deals for Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah, who had previously been on loan. Their arrival followed the acquisitions of Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo in July. As the transfer window drew to a close, Celtic further bolstered their lineup by signing Alex Valle on loan from Barcelona and completing the signings of Arne Engels, Luke McCowan, and Auston Trusty on deadline day.
Among the players who departed Parkhead was Michael Johnston, who moved permanently to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship. However, he wasn’t the only significant exit. Matt O’Riley transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal that reportedly exceeded £25 million, marking a record transfer for both Celtic and Scottish football. The question now is whether O’Riley will thrive in England like Virgil van Dijk or struggle as Gary Hooper did in the past.
One of Celtic’s most astute moves was the timely sale of versatile defender Josip Juranovic, who left a lasting impression during his tenure. Juranovic joined Celtic in the summer of 2021 for approximately £2.5 million from Legia Warsaw. His debut season in Scotland was remarkable; he showcased his versatility by playing both right-back and left-back while excelling in defensive duties and contributing offensively.
In the 2021/22 season, Juranovic featured in 26 Premiership matches, helping the team achieve 11 clean sheets and winning 56% of his duels. He also contributed three goals and one assist, although his potential for even more was evident, as he created several significant chances that were not converted by teammates. As he transitioned into the 2022/23 season, he maintained his form with additional contributions before Union Berlin acquired him in January 2023 for a reported fee of up to £10 million.
Celtic’s timing in selling Juranovic proved advantageous, as his market value has since declined significantly. Currently valued at €7.5 million (£6