It has been clear for quite some time that Celtic are struggling to keep up with the modern game when it comes to their recruitment in the transfer market.

We have seen many smaller teams thrive in the current environment and compete with bigger clubs using data and analytics. Teams like Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Bournemouth are brilliant examples of this.

Closer to home, Hearts almost pulled off a miracle last season before falling short on the final day at Celtic Park. The effort needs to be recognised though.

As for Celtic, it feels like they have not successfully made that transition. As a result, the squad seems to get weaker every summer. And merely a look at how they handled their midfield rebuild recently shows us why.

Celtic saw two key midfielders depart on a permanent basis in the summer. Arne Engels moved to West Ham United. Reo Hatate joined Burnley. And even Paulo Bernardo left on loan.

So, the club needed to make multiple additions in the middle of the park. Mika Baur has proven to be a decent addition so far.

The same cannot be said for the likes of Oliver Sorensen and Joel van den Berg though. Now, the latter is a youngster and it is understandable that he needs more time.

Sorensen came in from the Italian top flight though. So, he was expected to make more of an impact. But then, when you look at the circumstances in which he was signed, perhaps it makes more sense.

While speaking on Celtic Fans TV, Anthony Joseph said: "Sorensen was a bizarre signing recommended by an agent to sort of fill in a gap in midfield because they knew they weren't going to get Mahmic, well they weren't going to splash out on Mahmic, and they were in negotiations with Gineitis, but Sorensen was meant to be a more attacking midfielder. But every time I've watched, I honestly don't know what he does. I don't want to be disrespectful to him, but I don't know what he brings to a football team. Every time he's on the pitch, I just can't see what kind of type of player he is, can't work it out, and he's played plenty of games already."

Sorensen came in at Celtic after a full season of Serie A football at Parma. It is worth pointing out that he is only here on loan.

But Joseph's comments suggest that he was only brought in due to the uncertainty about the club not being able to sign other targets.

That fits in with the timeline as well. The club were being linked with other midfielders all summer before making a move for Sorensen out of nowhere.

So, he does not seem to have been some kind of long-term target, merely a midfield signing that was available, and an option Celtic decided to take up late in the window after failing to qualify for the Champions League. That is not how you build a winning squad though. Unsurprisingly, they are struggling right now.