HURRY UP OR YOU'LL BLOW TITLE

Hartley says slow coach Celts are taking too long to land players.... and it could KO O'Neill's flag hopes

- CRAIG SWAN & SCOTT BURNS

PAUL HARTLEY has warned Celtic's slow-boat transfer work could blow the title.

The former Parkhead ace is astounded at the club's struggles to sign a striker and add significantly to their weak squad during this key business period.

While challengers Hearts and Rangers are doing deals, Celtic continue to fumble around the market.

Hoops chiefs held a transfer summit last night as they desperately try to land new signings ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Hearts.

Manager Martin O'Neill, chief executive Michael Nicholson and first-team coach Shaun Maloney, along with scouting staff, assembled at Lennoxtown to finalise targets.

The club have been linked with Lorient's Mohamed Bamba and Chelsea's David Datro Fofana along with Motherwell top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise, whom O'Neill watched score against Ross County at the weekend.

Hartley can barely believe the state of affairs and said: "It's astounding with the size of the club and what they've done over the last number of years that they are still searching (for players).