Jota money doesn’t need to go on a direct replacement, other areas need tended to first…

So it’s official, Jota is now an Al-Ittihad player and Celtic have banked a cool £19 million after Benfica get their cut.

It’s now assumed that Brendan Rodgers will be able to now go on a spending spree. I think he will as he wouldn’t have returned if he wasn’t promised funds to help him achieve his goals.

Brendan Rodgers. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s widely believed that the bulk of the money will be splashed out on a direct replacement for Jota, but with Marco Tilio just signed and recurring interest in South Korean Hyun-Jun Yang that area looks strong. Throw in Daizan Maeda, Sead Hakšabanović , James forrest and Liel Abada (presuming he stays) and our wide areas are well enough covered.

The area that needs improved in my opinion is right through the middle of the park, not just midfield but a goalkeeper, centre back, holding midfielder and another attacker. The spine of the side you could say.

Joe Hart gestures as he reacts at the end the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Celtic and Real Madrid, at the Celtic Park on September 6, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Joe Hart is a great goalkeeper but he needs sterner competition. We badly need quality cover for CCV and Carl Starfelt at the back. In the centre of the park we badly lack an enforcer, a Victor Wanyama type, we haven’t had that type of presence in the middle since Scott Brown. Callum McGregor is a fine footballer and leader but his best strengths are in a attacking sense. It would be good to see him back in a more advanced role.

A striker would also be a good option as cover for Kyogo and Oh. Three top strikers is a must if we’re to compete in every competition. It also ramps up competition which is also healthy.

Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic reacts after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on April 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Will we be seeing one or two big signings or three or four more modest additions? We’ll soon find out in the coming weeks. One things for sure, it’s a priority that we strengthen, and with quality too.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!

The Celtic Star’s Summer Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!