Celtic may be closing in on a fresh campaign with a new manager at the helm but issues still plague the Hoops like a particularly nasty rash.
There was a sense of optimism when Ange Postecoglou was handed the keys to Parkhead but the same old issues still lie beneath the surface.
What’s the word?
Celtic play their opening Champions League qualifying match next week and they will do so with a lack of senior first-team players.
They may also face Midtjylland without the services of Kristoffer Ajer if he finally gets his wish of leaving.
Ajer was nothing but professional last season but he is reportedly finding life difficult at the moment after the Bhoys rejected bids from both Norwich and Bayer Leverkusen for his services.
It’s thought that Celtic are holding out for £20m but the centre-back hasn’t been left happy with the recent turn of events.
Taking to Twitter, the Cynic Wolf commented: “Understand from sources close to Kristoffer Ajer that he is absolutely furious with the way Celtic management has dealt with his situation the last two months.
“He feels there’s been broken promises, constantly moving goalposts and a lack of professionalism from club.”
Disaster on the cards
Peter Lawwell is no longer on the Celtic board but his mistakes of years gone by are still wreaking havoc with the club.
Clearly, he and his colleagues gave the Norwegian some assurances last term that with a year left on his current contract, he’d be given the freedom to leave this summer.
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Although they’re willing to let him go if their valuation is met, it’s a steep one for a Scottish based player with 12 months remaining on his deal.
This is the last thing that Postecoglou wanted to face when he was handed the job.
The Australian knew there’d be a rebuilding job to undertake but if anybody was going to kick up a fuss, it would be Odsonne Edouard.
After downing tools towards the end of 2020/21, the striker nearly joined Leicester until they turned their attentions elsewhere. Since then, the Frenchman’s camp has been rather quiet.
As for Ajer, there’s plenty of noise which is rather unhelpful as Celtic attempt to reclaim their dominance of Scottish football.
Supporters are never keen on seeing their best players leave the club but they should be particularly seething with this situation.
Once again, they’re staring at a situation at Paradise where the hierarchy have handled things incredibly poorly.
Those on the board have made countless mistakes in years gone by, with their hiring and backing of Neil Lennon a pivotal moment in their recent history.
Lennon was given the job despite Celtic claiming close to £10m in compensation fees for Brendan Rodgers. They then refused to sack the Northern Irishman despite poor form as the ex-Hoops manager decided to walk instead.
Just as the future looked a little brighter for the Glaswegian side, toxicity is surrounding the club once again.
Just one week out from their European qualification campaign, it does not bode well for a result.