Celtic miss Crucial UEFA registration deadline

Celtic miss initial UEFA deadline for Emenalo but Champions League opportunity remains

Celtic have failed to complete the registration of left-back target Landon Emenalo before UEFA’s first Champions League deadline, although the player could still be eligible to face LASK.

The Scottish champions have enjoyed a busy period in the transfer market, bringing Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan into Martin O’Neill’s squad in recent days. However, their pursuit of Emenalo remains unresolved.

As of Thursday evening, Celtic had yet to reach an agreement with the defender’s club, while interest from other teams has reportedly made negotiations more complicated.

Consequently, Emenalo could not be officially registered in time for UEFA’s initial cut-off.

However, Celtic have not completely missed their chance to include him in the Champions League squad.

UEFA rules allow clubs to make amendments to their European squad before the first leg of the play-off, with Celtic able to add as many as two players before Tuesday’s final deadline.

That gives O’Neill and the club additional time to negotiate a deal and potentially bring Emenalo into the squad for the meeting with Austrian champions LASK.

Celtic have therefore avoided a major setback despite missing the first deadline.

The arrivals of Baur and Hassan have already strengthened O’Neill’s options, but the manager is still looking for further additions, particularly at left-back.

Should Celtic finally secure an agreement for Emenalo in the coming days, the young defender could still play a part in what promises to be a crucial Champions League play-off tie.