Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen may not have a blank cheque from chairman Max Tshabalala to sign big-name players, but he is slowly building a squad that he believes will consistently challenge for trophies.

Larsen has made some smart signings in the last two months, bringing in Geofrey Massa, Vuyisile Wana, Phalane Lantshene and Thabang Matuka ahead of the new season.

Add those names to a squad that already has Thapelo Morena, Lerato Lamola and Gabadinho Mhango, then Larsen has a squad capable of pushing the big guns to the limit.

Musa Nyatama and Mukuka Mulenga are back at Sundowns after season-long loan spells in the Free State, but they are expected to return to Phunya SeleSele.

"[But] we are still well short of the squads that Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and [Bidvest] Wits have, but we believe we will get there."

Larsen explained why he needs Camaldine Abraw in his side for the new season.

Abraw is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Celtic and Chiefs. "Camaldine is a player we identified a while ago. We wanted two box players in Massa and Camaldine because we have good wingers who can deliver crosses," Larsen said.

Celtic are in their third week of pre-season and have a friendly on Sunday against Orlando Pirates.