Ultimately, this comparison is a cautionary tale. The budget is there, the intent is there, but execution lags behind vision. Exactly what the Celtic Fans Collective is insinuating in today’s update.
Rodgers’ recruitment has been ambitious in spend and decisive in parts, but high turnover and limited first-team integration underscores clear systemic weaknesses.
Postecoglou’s model, across his first two transfer windows, backed by targeted networks and thoughtful market strategy, produced sustainable, tactical outcomes that Rodgers’ squad has yet to replicate.
Celtic fans are right to demand smarter, coherent investment and spending aligned to structure, not circumstance. Until that alignment exists, the cycle of turnover, unmet expectations, and over-reliance on manager Rolodexes will continue.
Celtic Park under the lights before kick off Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, – 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Not Another Penny isn’t a protest about spending ambition, it is a call for strategic clarity, system-led recruitment, and a squad capable of enduring injuries, maintaining style, and competing at the level the club and fans expect.
Most of Celtic’s success stories have come down to manager knowledge of their own past working environments. Postecoglou had the advantage of using his own talent finders and dealmakers, in the first two transfer windows in particular.
And where Postecoglou had CAA Base, Frank Trimboli, and initially Dom McKay to complete the deals. Rodgers has had to lean on the Recruitment input of Mark Lawwell and Paul Tisdale, alongside the contract wheeling and dealing of CEO Michael Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay.
Michael Nicholson, Celtic CEO and Chris McKay, Celtic CFO, look on from the stands during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It’s fair to say Postecoglou had the most success. But he also had the most help, internally and externally. Rodgers however has clearly suffered with two recruitment leads who have poor records for talent identification, and a CEO and CFO who don’t appear to have been in the same league as Dom McKay, or even perhaps Frank Trimboli.
Celtic’s issue then isn’t spending money. It’s how they spend it. And the strategy, or lack of a coherent one, used.
Rodgers it would seem is the fall-guy now for a recruitment strategy that started to fall apart in Ange Postecoglou’s second season in charge. And the quality in comparison to quantity has been evident to all since.
We’ve outsourced our PR team by all accounts. Perhaps it’s time to do the same for our recruitment strategy.
Niall J
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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books
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.