Fast forward to this summer
Fast forward to this summer and Rodgers has again asked for targeted quality before a crucial European tie. Seven signings have arrived, for a total of £3m. Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren, seem first team picks. Shin Yamada and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey may be in the coming weeks. Ross Doohan, and Callum Osmand are some way down a list of ‘break glass in case of emergency’. Not all are ready for Champions League football and Hayato Inamura doesn’t seem to be in Rodgers’ immediate plans.
Benjamin Nygren of Celtic is seen during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
And of course gaps remain. Jota is injured until early 2026 at best. Nicolas Kühn has departed for Como. The manager believes Kyogo hasn’t been replaced yet, and wide attacking options are thinly stretched when it comes to quality. Celtic have already missed out on Norwegian winger Sondre Orjasaeter, who seems set for FC Twente, and protracted negotiations for Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Jakob Breum may continue, but might not.
Celtic’s waiting game appears to be in play, holding back major investment until qualification is secured
Once again, the waiting game appears to be in play, holding back major investment until qualification is secured, while risking that such caution undermines the very qualification it depends on.
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA – KAIRAT ALMATY Players of Kairat celebrate during third qualifying round of UEFA Champions League football match between SK Slovan Bratislava and Kairat Almaty. Bratislava, Slovakia, August 12, 2025. IMAGO / Branislav Racko
The mystery of the play-off opponent is now finally solved. Celtic will travel to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty, following their 4–3 penalty shootout victory over Slovan Bratislava, after a 1–1 aggregate draw. An 11 hour long-haul flight, and a team who can grind out results, it is the kind of tie that will test every ounce of preparation Celtic can muster. And the clock is mercilessly ticking.
The registration deadline for new signings for the play-off is tomorrow
The registration deadline for new signings for the play-off is tomorrow. Technically, the club could add two players up to 24 hours before the first leg. But even if any signings arrive, the chances of them being fit, sharp, and fully integrated into Rodgers’ system are vanishingly slim. We are deep into wishful thinking territory. Celtic will, for all practical purposes, rely entirely on the squad already in place — new arrivals or not.
Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell, Chris McKay, Michael Nicholson
To understand why this pattern repeats, you have to look beyond the touchline. This summer’s transfer window has arguably had four main actors – Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell, Chris McKay, Michael Nicholson.
Two of them are effectively untouchable. Desmond’s role — whether seen as absentee landlord or meddling overseer — is entrenched. Lawwell, officially a non-executive chairman, is described as a helpful political pawn in UEFA circles apparently. His position seems secure whether his standard operating procedures are still in use, or not.
Dermot Desmond (L) and Chief Executive of Celtic Peter Lawwell look on prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match between Celtic FC and FC Internazionale Milano at Celtic Park Stadium on February 19, 2015. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Nicholson is not fit for the job he holds. He’s not fit to be the boot cleaner at Celtic. He will almost certainly go if Celtic fail to qualify, as will others. The voice of the fans for change in the Boardroom will be so loud that these executive pariahs will no longer be able to ignore it. Celtic has needed a clearout of the suits for a long time, including, including Lawwell. He should never have been allowed to return anywhere near the Celtic Board, yet the old pals act that probably landed Nicholson the job got him back in. These people have no ambition for Celtic. Their sole ambition is to enrich themselves and their shareholders by using Celtic as a profit-making feeder club.
The recruitment team has failed BR badly . We needed strengthening and anyone who watches football can see this , however , we are going into champions league qualifiers with a squad weaker than last season. In addition we are away in the second leg and upon our 10 hour flight return who do we play ? Our records show after we play a European game our results are not consistent. I hope the recruitment team are held accountable, for this has gone on far to long .
Good analysis of CFC’s fiscal drag queens. What happened to Ange’s Agile transfer policy? Idah & Bernardo were both failures on loan – they should not have been signed. Engels is Celtic’s Tore Andre Flo. Trusty a waste of money too.