Don't panic, Celtic supremo tells fans

Celtic executive director Peter Lawwell claims the club will beat the transfer deadline to bring new faces to Parkhead.

The board have issued a "don‘t panic" message after the Hoops slumped to a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool after their pre-season tour of America opened with 4-2 defeat to Chelsea.

While Old Firm rivals Rangers have snapped up six players this summer, Celtic have been conspicuous by their absence in the transfer market and Martin O‘Neill admits personal problems have played a part in the lack of new faces.

The Hoops boss has missed their last two games as a result of his wife’s health worries but hopes to be in the dug-out by the time they take on Manchester United.

He had vowed to use the time to step up attempts to bring new players to the club and they have been linked with Wolves wantaway star Henri Camara and Newcastle‘s Alan Shearer.

But Lawwell refused to reveal details of any discussions “just to take the pressure off”.

He told the club‘s official website, www.celticfc.co.uk: “We‘re working extremely hard on a number of fronts to ensure that we maintain the quality of the playing squad for the defence of the league next season but we won‘t be revealing details of our discussions with a number of players just to take the pressure off.

“As soon as we have something concrete to say, and I‘ve no doubt we will before the signing deadline, the fans will know right away.

“Of course the fans want to see as strong a squad as possible and no-one at Celtic Park is any different.”