Celtic will ramp up their summer spending spree in the final days of the transfer window if they see off LASK in the Champions League playoff, with a £40m jackpot set to escalate five deals.
According to Parkhead legend Tommy Johnson, manager Martin O'Neill will make sure reaching the league phase triggers a host of new deals. Celtic travel to Austria with a 3-0 advantage from the first leg.
Record Summer Spending
The Hoops have already shattered their transfer record this summer on the £11m signing of Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt, having splashed £6m to take Camilo Duran from Qarabag in their first signing of the summer.
Egypt World Cup star Haissem Hassan has also arrived on a deal that could eventually rise to £10m, which was followed by the £6.8m arrival of Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur.
Johnson's Verdict
Johnson raved about the new recruits but reckons the Parkhead icon won't think the work in the market is done. He told the Sunday Post: "I watched the game on Wednesday night and was very impressed. They are so entertaining and everyone appears to be enjoying themselves. The team spirit and camaraderie was bursting through my television screen."
"I liked the way Celtic were on the front foot and willing to attack at every opportunity. There is also a real pace within the side. The gaffer [Martin O'Neill] loves players who are fast, get away from their markers. There are strikers with pace."
"The squad is looking really, really good. There is no doubt Martin has recruited really well. During the summer he identified certain areas of the team that needed to be upgraded and they have delivered. But the work is not done. There are still things to do."
"There is room for improvement and Martin wants to add even more quality. That's the way he is. He never rests on his laurels and he never takes success for granted. He was brilliant for Celtic last season and used his managerial superpowers to win the Double."
"He is now on the verge of taking the club into the Champions League and they will also take some stopping in the league between now and the end of May. However, he'd be the first to point out that nothing has been achieved yet and he'd be right."
"But I've a feeling that success on Tuesday night in Austria will be the start of a very memorable campaign for Celtic. Nobody deserves it more than the gaffer."
Incoming Deals
Chelsea kid Landon Emenalo is expected to be among the first new faces in the door. The London Evening Standard report that a loan switch north of the border is imminent for the 18-year-old left-back.
After the £22m departure of Arne Engels for West Ham, the Glasgow giants are also in the market for a midfielder. Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis is a target and Tutto Sport report that the Serie A club will sell for "the right price" with Danny Rohl's RB Salzburg also keen on the Lithuania international.
Celtic have been long-term admirers of Hadjuk Split star Niko Sigur but face competition from across Europe to secure a deal for the Canada cap. Croatian outlet Sport Sport name Toulouse, Coventry and the Scottish champions as interested parties, and state that Hadjuk are demanding a £3.4m payday for the versatile midfielder.
It's also understood Celtic are aiming to seal a deal for Bosnian star Ermin Mahmic soon. Record Sport revealed last week that the Hoops are at an advanced stage with Slovan Liberec over a £7m deal, and the Czechs will also get another potential seven figures in add-ons.
Speaking about the player's future, boss Branislav Fodrek appeared to open the door: "We have an alternative with and without him. Things can change at any moment."
A goalkeeper is also on O'Neill's shopping list. Blackburn Rovers star Balazs Toth has been touted, and Hungarian outlet Magyar Nemzet report that the shot-stopper expects to say his goodbyes to the Championship side following this weekend's clash with QPR.
