Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his team were not in the best shape for the clash with Midtjylland but it appears things are turning at Parkhead.
Transfer season is notoriously difficult to navigate but the straight-talking Australian is facing battles on multiple fronts in a bid to bolster his side for crunch Champions League qualifiers.
Signing stars for these clashes is often a tough ask with many players only returning from their summer breaks and selling clubs happy to bide their time in the hunt for bumper fees.
Postecoglou explained the added challenge Celtic and other clubs are facing in terms of quarantine and registering players.
And their hunt for signings has gone global with Japan star Kyogo Furuhashi and former Rubin Kazan defender Carl Starfelt joining Israeli winger Liel Abada as the marquee arrivals.
But it won't stop there and Record Sport revealed there are a host of other names still on the Parkhead wish list as Postecoglou continues his big rebuild.
Vasilis Barkas once again grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons as the keeper with a reputation for not making saves inexplicably pulled his hands back for the Danes' unexpected equaliser on Tuesday.
Despite his latest gaffe - the Greek international appears comfortable with the sweeper keeper role bestowed on him by Postecoglou.
Fraser Forster has been linked and Celtic fans would love a return for a player who has proven capable of single-handedly dragging the Hoops to silverware. Scott Bain and Conor Hazard remain as understudies.
Barkas' weaknesses are there for all to see but it may be a case of other positions taking precedence before a new man between the sticks is identified.
Anthony Ralston gave it his all against Midtjylland but right-back is a position that clearly needs an upgrade. Rennes pair Brandon Soppy and Sacha Boey have been linked.
But it's understood George Baldock remains a player of interest and the Sheffield United right-back has been a long-term target since Mikael Lustig left the club in 2019.
Carl Starfelt appears an ideal replacement for Kris Ajer and he prefers to operate on the left-hand side of a central defensive two.
Dane Murray looked excellent after Nir Bitton's red but the 18-year-old has plenty of time to continue his development.
Stephen Welsh has established himself as a regular with Christopher Jullien on the sidelines but Ko Itakura remains a player Postecoglou likes.
You would expect the 21-year-old Scotland youth international to remain a regular but the Manchester City man has a wealth of experience after making over 80 appearances for Groningen during his two-year stay.
Greg Taylor gives absolutely everything but even his most ardent supporter would admit he doesn't offer the same type of attacking threat that made Kieran Tierney so special in green and white
But finding a player who can defend resolutely and also have the opposition back-tracking is not easy so the Scotland international remains a solid option. Aaron Hickey has been strongly linked but Bologna appear keen to keep him in Serie A.
Ismaila Soro was excellent against the Danes but Aaron Mooy offer a proper 'two way' threat and a midfield three of the Australian, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull offers interchangeability guaranteed goals. But there will always be a place for the Ivorian's defensive sensibilities.
James Forrest faces the first real threat to his starting XI berth in Liel Abada. The new man is unapologetically direct with his desire to get crosses and shots away a key to his goalscoring debut on Tuesday.
Michael Stewart described Neil Lennon's team last season as a "basketball side" who too often decided to pass around to each other instead of going for goal.
But Abada is hell-bent on hitting the football equivalent of a three-pointer if defenders don't close him down on the edge of the box. The 19-year-old looks capable of becoming a regular starter.
Ryan Christie was exceptional against Midtjylland but the Scotland star only has six months remaining on his deal and his brilliant efforts reflect well on his undoubted professionalism.
But a new deal doesn't appear forthcoming and that should allow Kyogo Furuhashi an early chance to stake his claim in the starting XI.
The 26-year-old cost a cool £4.5m and his goalscoring exploits with Vissel Kobe point towards a player ready to make an immediate impact.
Odsonne Edouard passed up a golden chance on Tuesday night but Celtic 's talisman was excellent as he linked the play well. Albian Ajeti looks lean and mean but the Swiss striker is much more direct and doesn't excel with the ball to feet.
If the Frenchman does leave this summer there is no doubt a new central striker will be a key position to upgrade with Leigh Griffiths still to prove he can get back to his best.
There's no doubt there is areas for Celtic to improve but the signings of Starfelt, Furuhashi and Abada certainly appear a promising start.
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