Contrast this with Ange Postecoglou’s tenure from 2021 to 2023, and the difference is stark, though it must be understood in context.
Postecoglou inherited a squad in flux after the Covid-impacted 2020–21 season. Contracts were ending, players were leaving, and the dressing room was fractured. A rebuild was unavoidable.
New manager Ange Postecoglou poses for a photo at Celtic Park Glasgow. Photo Jeff Holmes
Over two years, Postecoglou signed 29 players — the same numerical volume as Rodgers — but arguably with more impact.
Twelve of those became trusted first-team starters. Kyogo (£4.6m), Liel Abada (£3.4m), Cameron Carter-Vickers (£6m), Jota (£6.5m), Daizen Maeda (£2m), Alistair Johnston (£3.5m), Carl Starfelt (£4m), Joe Hart (£1m), Reo Hatate (£1.4m), Matt O’Riley (£1.5m), Josip Juranovic (£2.5m), and Aaron Mooy (Free).
Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – Europa League – Play-Off – First Leg – Celtic s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring. Photo Andrew Milligan/IMAGO
These twelve players formed the spine of the first team, with cohesion, balance, and a clear tactical identity, with a total spend of £36.4 million.
Behind them, eleven squad rotation options.
Four provided depth and consistency without undermining the first team Giorgos Giakoumakis (£2.5m), Oh Hyeon-gyu (£2.5m), Tomoki Iwata (Loan), Moritz Jenz (Loan).
Sead Hakšabanović of Celtic shoots at goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Celtic FC and Real Madrid at Celtic Park on September 06, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Seven others were less successful in terms of first team performances, Alexandro Bernabei (£3.75m), Sead Haksabanovic (£1.7m), Liam Scales (£0.5m), Yuki Kobayashi (Free), Benjamin Siegrist (Free), James McCarthy (Free), and Oliver Abildgaard (Loan).
In total these 11 players signed for £10.95 million.
These were not high-profile signings, but some delivered tactical reliability and allowed the system to function across league and cup competitions, others were less successful.
Standing ovation for this article.
I think most people are probably aware at how far we have regressed due to the scatter gun approach to recruitment, so cheers for taking the time to actually compile and compare.
Its definitely worse than I remember. From the squad depth we had only a few seasons ago to where we are now just highlights the neglect shown by the board. Change is needed immediately. Transparency and accountability from the top down.
Not another penny.