Why This Was Celtic’s Greatest Ever Transfer Window.

Last night, the window officially slammed shut and the general consensus is that this was an outstanding summer which delivered in every way that we could have wanted.

The signing of the big Dane right at the death was the culmination of a very good spell in which we strengthened every key area of the side. We did everything but bring in a striker.

And let’s be honest, guys, we’re scoring goals for fun and it’s the one area where we didn’t need to do anything dramatic. There is such a thing as overkill.

Every part of this team looks stronger than what it was. We’ve signed the left back we needed, the centre back to provide top class competition, two midfielders, a wide player and a good backup keeper … and all of this in addition to completing the deals for Maeda, Carter Vickers and Jota. Those who said we hadn’t actually strengthened are wrong.

The question as to whether this has been the best transfer window ever would be easily answered if not for one thing; last summer’s window was pretty damned good as well. And when you consider that the transfer window itself is a relatively modern construct – it wasn’t introduced until 2002 – it does seem likely that this has been our finest hour.

We have certainly spent more – in terms of pure outlay – than in any other that I can remember. Net spend overall for Ange is £8 million but we finished the last campaign with a trading surplus and this year we’ve been lucky to bring in a handful in loan fees … that means we’ve spent more than £15 million net in this one window alone, and no Celtic boss has ever had that sort of cash.

What makes this window special, then, is that it has brought genuine strength and depth to the team and it’s done so on top of a title winning campaign; we are, at last, seeing Celtic get stronger from what was already a position of strength.

Some of us have waited a lifetime to see that.

To me that’s why there is simply no argument here; this has been the best transfer window at Celtic since the idea was introduced. The manager has had more support from the board than any at this club in my lifetime. It is incredible the changes we’ve seen here in a very short time … and not all of the positives are down to the man in the dugout.