Celtic have not announced any new signings for Nomme Kalju tie

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Celtic had until 11pm on Tuesday night to make additions to the squad for the European tie.

Celtic have not announced the addition of anyone to their squad in time for the Nomme Kalju tie in the second round of UEFA Champions League qualifying.

As per UEFA rules (Article 44.08, page 43), the Hoops had the chance to include two new players for the two legged affair by 11pm UK time last night, the day before kick-off at Celtic Park.

Should Neil Lennon’s side make it past the Estonian champions, they will have until 11pm on August 1st to register any new players (Article 44.07, page 43). If that proves difficult, they can add a maximum of two up until the night before the first leg against Maccabi Tel-Aviv or CFR Cluj.

Lennon has admitted they are close to getting Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s Hatem Abd Elhamed over the line as a new signing, telling The Daily Record yesterday he was getting a medical done in Paris.

However, with no announcement at the time of publishing it looks like a makeshift defence will again take part both at home and abroad over the next week.

Throwing a player into the first leg at this late stage was always unlikely, but better depth for the trip to Estonia could have been handy.

Celtic’s right-back situation is growing more and more urgent as the summer goes on with no recognised natural option available to the Hoops manager.

Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan all left the club at the end of last season and the Scottish champions have so far been unable to add the two players they need in the position.

Central defender Kristoffer Ajer has had to fill in for the first two competitive fixtures and while he’s taken to the task with his usual commitment and confidence, it’s not an ideal situation.

Anthony Ralston, 20, is also in the squad but is apparently not fancied and has limited experience.

With more difficult tests to come in Europe should they make it past the second qualifying round, it’s a task that the club really need to be pushing on with.