We’re at that time of the year when transfers – both incoming and outgoing - are the main topic of conversation between Celtic supporters and the media alike. With Scotland’s participation in the ongoing Euros now completely at an end, the focus has shifted back from Germany to Glasgow, as those not representing their countries returned to training for the first day of pre-season yesterday at Lennoxtown.

Indeed, Wednesday, June 27 was a loaded day for Celtic Football Club as a whole news-wise. Firstly, the SPFL fixtures for the upcoming 2024/25 Scottish Premiership were announced in the morning, as August 4 was confirmed to be the date when the club’s latest iteration of ‘Flag Day’ would take place, when they kick off their season versus Kilmarnock at Celtic Park.

Following this announcement of domestic fixtures, John Kennedy conducted interviews with both Celtic TV and Sky Sports surrounding the team’s return from the off-season, the latest on summer transfers and the new Champions League format taking place from this season onwards – more on that later.

Lastly, the unexpected passing of former midfielder Landry Nguemo shook the support emotionally, as the 38-year-old tragically lost his life in a car crash back in his home country. Spending a full season on loan at the club under the management of Tony Mowbray and then Neil Lennon, the Cameroon international was a bright spot in a dark time for the club, as the team struggled to compete that season versus Walter Smith’s Rangers.

READ MORE: 'Conversations are taking place' - Kennedy issues positive transfer update

An eventful 24 hours or so for the club as a whole, but one (for the first two developments) that signified that the new season was edging ever closer to its commencement, particularly concerning Kennedy’s communication with the media. As expected, the 1v1 with Sky Sports’ Mark Benstead was transfer-heavy, especially given the lack of signings made by the club thus far in the summer window.

Kennedy was happy to answer any questions concerning this area of discussion, as he took the time to put the transfer worries at ease for the expectant onlookers, particularly in the goalkeeping position regarding Joe Hart’s replacement. He said: “The club are working hard on that (recruiting a new goalkeeper).

“Some targets have been identified and they've been working on that in the background. Again, it's a key position for us and we know that it's a position that we need to get in and we want to do that as soon as we can, so hopefully in the coming weeks, we can have some news on that.”

Kennedy continued, concerning the permanent pursuits of Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah: “I think there are a lot of conversations happening. It's a time when a lot of players have been on holiday and different things have been happening. A lot of conversations are taking place and as we now come back for pre-season, hopefully in the coming weeks a few things will start to happen, but there are a lot of plates spinning, a lot of work getting done.”

 “Again, hopefully, we'll start to see all that start to materialise in the coming weeks.”

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For many apprehensive listeners and readers, these words from the assistant manager will come as a source of relief. Indeed, the departure of Sead Haksabanovic was the first bit of activity from the club transfer-wise since January, with the departure of fellow attacker Oh Hyeon-gyu to Genk in Belgium expected to be finalised any day now. Necessary moves, for sure, but supporters will be expecting incomings to begin to occur, especially after Kennedy’s interview yesterday.

For Celtic, the time to make signings was yesterday, in all honesty. Not to sound like a broken record, but no new signings – especially in areas that have been inadequate for years – is concerning for a large portion of people, even though the league season does not start for another 37 days.

Quite rightly, Sky’s Benstead touched upon the forthcoming tour of the USA for Brendan Rodgers’ side, which includes a match against MLS club DC United, as well as blockbuster ties versus Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. You would hope – and expect – by the time Celtic head stateside that they have a couple of new additions to fly out alongside them, especially between the sticks.

Directly addressing this viewpoint, again Kennedy praised the work that was going on in the background. He said: “I think there are some challenges with that in terms of negotiations that will take place, but we know it's a key position for us and we want to get the key positions in as quickly as we can so that we can get to work with them.

“The manager, the board and the guys at the club are working hard on that.”

Celtic’s social media post at Lennoxtown was a who’s who on the players that had returned to training, with a large portion of those individuals’ futures still very much up in the air. Current number one goalkeeper – by default – Scott Bain was videoed checking in to the training complex, with centre-backs Yuki Kobayashi, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki all photographed on arrival, too – all rumoured for moves away in recent months.

READ MORE: Former Celtic player Landry Nguemo has passed away

Elsewhere, youngsters such as Daniel Kelly and Yang Hyun-jun were spotted, whilst bona fide first-team players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn were welcomed back after their break. The aforementioned Oh – still a Celtic player – joined his teammates, despite the ongoing negotiations surrounding his reported departure.

All in all, it would seem that the downtime concerning Celtic is very much over, with an influx of on-field developments seemingly just around the corner for the club to report and confirm. After what has felt like the longest month without much happening, things look to be finally heating up for Rodgers’ side.

Time will tell if they succeed in their aims this summer.