The Celtic Star attended Brendan Rodgers’ media conference at Lennoxtown this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s trip to Easter Road to take on Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.
We had one question and wanted to ask the manager about signing the quality players he previously said we need if we are to compete in the Champions league.
Much of the conversation surrounded Callum McGregor’s announcement that he is to retire from international football and we also heard the manager’s thoughts on Adam Idah and Matt O’Riley, both of whom he hopes to have in his squad come 1st September.
Afterwards, Brendan confirmed that Daizen Maeda is fit and available for selection at Easter Road.
The Celtic Star’s question was about recruitment in order to allow Celtic to stand a better chance in the Champions League. We pointed out that the club has multi-millions in the bank and if they are ever going to invest in the squad sufficiently to give us a decent chance then this season feels like now or never.
Brendan thought about this for a second or two before giving The Celtic Star his answer.
“I’ve always said that recruitment is vital for success on the football pitch. Bringing in the players that allow you to elevate the game. Especially when you go up in the Champions League then the recruitment of players is crucial.
“Especially in the big clubs, if you don’t get it right then you have very little chance to put it right. If you don’t bring in a player that suits your style and is suitable for the football that you want to play – improving that player when there’s very little time is very difficult.
“That’s why you want to get in not just A player but the RIGHT player who can elevate you and the team’s game and that he’s a sufficient level. It will allow you to improve. That’s absolutely key.
“I’m looking at by the end of the window for signings, and that is when you can judge. I know that supporters want to see that team on the pitch, and as managers, we want the players in quickly and integrated.
“At the end of it, if we can get to the end of August and have a stronger squad than what we finished with last season, it will still be a successful window for us.
“The point you make is absolutely correct – to have success on the football pitch, you need to recruit, and you need to recruit the best possible players you can, if you want to achieve in European football.”
Watch the full media conference below…
Good to see this transfer window more experience players proven players smichelles is proven he signed a good understudy idah looks like another signing and I’m sure he will improve 10 fold under Rodgers coaching now interested in a player he knows well and can play in a number position need to strengthen left side
Even if Idah comes in and we hopefully keep O’riley the squad is still generally weaker than last season’s,we keep hearing about these 3 or 4 quality players needed to ush on in Europe that have still not materialised.