The £1.2million signing of Anthony Stokes proved to be the final act of Celtic’s crazy summer of transfer activity – but it was not for the want of trying.
The Republic of Ireland hitman was the 11th player to be recruited as almost £10million was spent on a complete new team.
But, even as the window was closing, manager Neil Lennon was trying to recruit the central defender he believes he needs.
The war of attrition waged with Nottingham Forest over Kelvin Wilson was not won, though, with the 24-year-old in the final year of his contract, it will be re-engaged in January.
Aston Villa’s Curtis Davies was considered as a loan option, along with Newcastle’s Steven Taylor, but no deal could be concluded for either.
Attention was also turned to Swansea’s Ashley Williams. But the Championship club were holding out for £4m for the 26-year-old Welsh international who they bought from Stockport for just a tenth of that two years ago. That was a valuation considered too high by both Celtic and the other club who enquired about him, Leicester City.
Celtic fans had been hoping for a repeat of the drama which marked the end of the last transfer window, when Robbie Keane made a late dash to sign on loan but the striker remains a Spurs player.
Celtic were also thwarted in their attempt to move out Marc Crosas. He appeared to be heading to PAOK Salonika but problems at the Greek end forced the deal to be abandoned.
New Bhoy Stokes, meanwhile, wants to settle at Celtic after making first-team appearances for six different clubs in his short career.
“Hopefully I can do well and settle here,” said the striker, who is away on Republic of Ireland Under-21 duty for the rest of the week. “It’s been in the papers for the last few days how many clubs I have had. If it was up to me I would sign a contract for the rest of my career.”
The 22-year-old rejected the chance to join Celtic three years ago, opting to sign for Sunderland instead and said: “It was good experience for me down there and, hopefully, I’m coming here a better player.”
