Millwall boss Neil Harris has been “assured” of signings before summer transfer window closes

Millwall head coach Neil Harris says he has been “assured” that there will be incoming deals before the summer transfer window closes at the end of next week.

The Lions are set to wrap up the early signing of Celtic midfielder Daniel Kelly, 18, this week.

The Championship side had snapped up Kelly on a pre-contract agreement which was set to kick in on January 1. But the two clubs negotiated a deal so that the teenager, who could not agree new terms at Parkhead, arrives now.

Kelly is undergoing his medical today and will sign a long-term contract with the Lions.

Harris has spoken repeatedly about the need for additions to his squad with the only new outfield players added being centre-back Japhet Tanganga, who left Tottenham in the summer, and Notts County forward Macaulay Langstaff.

At the weekend there was clear frustration in his voice after the 4-3 defeat at Bristol City in which he felt the hosts’ stronger best options tipped the match in their favour.

Asked about if there would be any activity inbound before Saturday’s game at Hull City, Harris told the South London Press: “Dan Kelly will be the one who is in the building first. It is exciting for the future and he has the potential to be a very good player.

“I’m also under no illusions about putting pressure on Dan’s shoulders – in terms of being expected to compete with Billy and Casper straightaway. The expectation is that he will take time.

“He’s probably in front of Alfie [Massey] age-wise and minutes-wise at first-team level, but he’s a player that we have high hopes for in the coming months and seasons – rather than days.

“Other than that, the best way I could describe it is work in progress on further incomings.

“I have been very honest, open and passionate with my thought processes with needing players in the building.

“Everyone understands my frustration towards it. The fans can certainly see how much effort, commitment and dedication the players gave for 78 minutes at Bristol City, but they can see the difference between the two squads.

“Our rival brings on quality and game-changers, and we struggle to see the game out because we can’t make one or two subs.

“I’m now not even thinking about: ‘One might be in today or one might be in tomorrow.’

“We will add players to the group before next Friday’s deadline. We have to. At the moment, we’re working with a core group of 14 outfield players.

“That’s untenable in the Championship. That has been shown in the first two games of the season.

“The way it works now is different to even maybe what it was when I was a manager five years ago. Managers tend to be head coaches now because they focus on coaching the team, supporting the group and developing the players. Recruitment departments, sporting directors and directors of football, lead the football club in a sense of recruitment and the football philosophy.

“When I talked after the game about where Steve Gallen and the recruitment guys were at, that’s me just feeding back to the fans about how the process works now. Every day, the communication lines are open. I’m impatient as always – I want the players quickly.

“I’m being assured we will have senior reinforcements in the building over the next 10 days.

“Everyone can see the players need support. It’s why I can’t talk more highly of the group. They gave everything in the last three months of last season and they have given everything in the first three months of pre-season. They are a joy to work with.

“The starting 11 the other day were magnificent in the way they battled back and the character they showed – the fight, drive and quality for 20 minutes was on show for everybody to see.

“It’s very difficult for a senior squad to maintain that for 90 minutes, especially in a three-game week in the first week of the season.

“That’s why I spoke passionately and honestly after the game to media outlets, because I could see my players were dead on their feet after 75 minutes.”

Kevin Nisbet was a notable absence from the squad at Bristol City with Harris citing illness as the reason the Scot did not travel.

It leaves the Lions boss with only Tom Bradshaw and summer addition Macaulay Langstaff available to play the role up top.

Harris talked after the 4-3 defeat at Bristol City about needing at least three players signed – a striker, wideman and also another central midfield option.

“Look at the squad on paper – we have Tom, who did extremely well on Saturday again, and Macaulay, who we all understand is finding his feet at the club and also at the level,” said Harris, expanding on his weekend comments. “Kevin Nisbet, it is probably fair to say hasn’t quite got firing in a Millwall shirt but also was ill and has been ill from training this week.

“It highlights the lightness of the group. But in wide areas you need options as well. I’m asking our attacking players to be such a threat going forward and Duncan (Watmore) and Romain (Esse) have scored five goals in three games – that is class, phenomenal. And they’ve been so good without the ball as well.

“They need support and seniority around them to guide them and help. George Honeyman covered more distance than any Millwall player has high speed and distance in the last two-and-a-bit years on Saturday. It just shows his level of dedication and qualities as a bloke and as a footballer to do that – but you need fresh legs and options in the top line.

“In the middle of the park as well, we’re without Billy until possibly West Brom on October 5 is the pencilled in date for a return to first-team action. But realistically there won’t be a push for him to start in that game so we’re looking at the middle of October or after that month’s international break for Billy to be fully up and running.

“We’re very light with two central midfield players who are asked to press, drop and recover. Press, get in the box and recover – it was tough for George Saville seven years ago when he was doing it! It’s tougher now. That is just me talking really honestly and openly so everyone can understand that I understand where we’re at and that I can see what everyone else sees – that we need to add to the group.”