Us as Celtic fans are not used to the club forward planning with such vigour when it comes to transfer business.
How many years have we watched as the club ‘bet’ on us reaching the Champions League group stages or even the Europa League group stages before we invested in the team.
For a long time, we watched transfer deadline day hoping for a marquee signing to be left disappointed with a signing of someone like Vakoun Bayo or Kelvin Wilson.
But not any more. Not under Ange Postecoglou.
The Celtic gaffer has turned that around with his vision and passion for where he wants to take the club.
But even at that, even Ange couldn’t have done it on his own.
Journalist Sean Martin has heaped praise on one other man he says is responsible for aiding and assisting Ange to change what was, in that respect, a failing transfer policy.
Speaking on The Celtic Way podcast, Martin said, “I mean last January, or even if you call it last December of the transfer window because Hatate, Ideguchi and Maeda were all announced before the New Year.
“So getting the business done early and getting it done swiftly and effectively means there is no protracted thing with the ‘will they, won’t they’.
“Sometimes that needs to happen but if you can avoid it I think Celtic, as a club, come out looking all the better for it in the summer.
“I know last summer was a different kettle of fish but this summer just past, they did the same.
“You’ve just got to say that Michael Nicholson since he’s taken over permanently as the Chief Executive, business has been getting done properly and swiftly and without any dramas, which is a big plus.”
Michael Nicholson has been a breath of fresh air since becoming the CEO. Whilst many looked upon his appointment with suspicion that it was just another ‘jobs for the boys’ hire, but my goodness, hasn’t he just proved us all wrong?
Nicholson deserves just as much credit as Ange for helping to put our club on a firm footing when it comes to transfer planning.
Long may it continue.