Celtic are determined to keep the big money buys coming after Mika Baur checked in at Parkhead in a £6m move. The German playmaker penned a four-year deal to follow £10m wide man Haissem Hassan in the door on top of £11m Kasper Hogh and £6m Camilo Duran. But Celts are far from finished with their summer shopping spree with several move targets in their sights.
Transfer targets identified
Highly-rated Chelsea teenage left-back Landon Emenalo is being lined up for a long move while £6m-rated Niko Sigur from Hajduk Split is high up the list. Celts are also tracking Slovan Liberec star Ermin Mahmic on the back of impressing at the World Cup with Bosnia and Lech Poznan winger Patrik Walemark is also on the radar.
Tornio's Gvidas Ginetis remains in play while Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is another option with Arne Engels expected to exit this window. Boss Martin O'Neill is sweating on the fitness of Alistair Johnston with fears the Canadian could miss next week's Champions League play-off clash with LASK.
Incomings and injury concerns
Premier League side Everton remain in the hunt for the full back despite the injury fears but the Hoops are pressing ahead with incomings. Celtic secured Hassan and Baur in time to register for next week's Champions League showdown – but the Hoops have until 24 hours before the LASK clash to add another two new faces.
Former Paderborn ace Baur admitted he was thrilled to jump on board – after being sold on Celts by former hero Nicolas Kuhn. He said: “I’m in the same agency as Nicolas so I called him to ask a couple of questions and he was so positive. He said, if you have the chance, just do it.
“I remember a Champions League night against Leipzig. I watched it on TV, on the couch at home, and you could feel it and see it, the emotions in the stadium. That's what I'm here for. That's why everyone is playing football. You want to play in big stadiums in front of a big crowd. It's different, but I think I'm ready for it.
“So I'm looking forward to it. It’s absolutely the right move. It’s a great club and I’ve heard incredible things about the fans. Celtic are the champions. I want to win something, and I think I’m in the right place for it.
“I’ve had a good pre-season with good matches and tough training sessions, everything. So I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go.”
New arrivals ready to make impact
Baur could make his bow in Saturday night’s Premier Sports Cup clash with Dundee United at Tannadice. And Hassan is also itching to get up and running after being unveiled at Parkhead last night.
The Egypt ace was a smash hit for his nation at the World Cup – and he’s out to create more magic by firing Celts to the Champions League. Hassan said: “I would say the Champions League was part of the discussion, but we are not qualified yet so I wouldn't really be focusing on that.
“Every player wants to play Champions League, the biggest competition in club football. But it's not only about that, it's about the club in general – a big fan base, playing in front of 60,000 fans, expecting to win, win trophies, being a better player, playing with better players as well so we can all help each other.
“I want to play the Champions League obviously, but that wasn't only the Champions League or playing in Europe that was attractive. I've always been confident in my abilities, so I think I can reproduce that in the Champions League. And I will do my best to help my teammates if we qualify, and hopefully we'll qualify.”
