Nawrocki and Lagerbielke touted for loan moves, further proof of our recruitment flaws. Surely Brendan Rodgers must be given a bigger say in our transfer dealings?

20th August 2023; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Liam Scales of Celtic, Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic and Maik Nawrocki of Celtic

Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke have apparently been told they can leave the club on loan if they can find any possible suiters. Both players arrived last summer as Brendan Rodgers arrived back at the club to take over the reins from Tottenham bound Ange Postecoglou.

One year later and both have been told they can go out on loan if they wish, which raises further questions over our recruitment process both last season and the current campaign.

Both players were brought to the club for an investment believed to be around £6 million, and apart from a few fleeting appearances, it’s quite clear that Brendan doesn’t rate them. Lagerbielke in particular who couldn’t even get near a match day squad last season.

It’s quite clear that Brendan had no say in their signings, and while the recruitment team have long gone ( well we actually don’t have anyone in that role as we speak!) it still raises concerns over how our club conducts its recruitment process.

That sort of money could have been invested in a quality centre back, CCV cost the same, so it was possible to do so. If Brendan had been allowed a say in last season’s dealings then maybe our defensive options would be ever so different.

If Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke do go out on loan we are essentially left with Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh.  An optimistic Celtic supporter might conclude that this is a hint of quality additional coming in before the window closes.

More realistic supporters though will recognise that ‘the summer is always a difficult window” and of course recognise that the club ‘tried their very best but clubs wouldn’t sell or players wouldn’t come to play in Scotland.’

Darren O’Dea (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Meanwhile new Pathway manager Darren O’Dea has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Raith Rovers. That might be seen as a blow to Brendan Rodgers who may well have earmarked O’Dea as his fourth centre-back for this season. Needs must and all that.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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