Celtic minded pundits like Chris Sutton and the Celtic supporters, especially through the Celtic fan media, are doing no more than Brendan Rodgers himself, in stating that Celtic needs the quality signing wanted by the manager, if the club is to stand a chance in competing on the European stage this season.
“I’m not sure I understood what Rodgers was saying yesterday about negative toxic energy that comes around transfers”, the former Celtic striker told Daily Record. “Fans and media are merely saying the squad needs to be improved, which is exactly the same as the manager is saying himself. That’s not toxic or negative, it’s just pointing out the facts. Rodgers says Celtic need to improve and that’s all anyone else has said.
“I understand it’s not easy getting deals done but Celtic were still piecing themselves together going into their first game against Feyenoord last season and you really don’t want that to be happening again. Of course the market scenario means there are going to be deals done in the final days, even hours, of the window. That’s just the nature of the business and no one has any qualms about that. But those deals should be the finishing touches, the icing on the cake.
“The majority of the squad who are going to be going into the elite competition should be in place some weeks before the campaign on the continent even kicks off. It’s hard enough trying to get results at the highest level without trying to do it on the hoof, as Celtic did last season. That was understandable, I said so. Rodgers was only just back in the door and there was always going to be a bit of a transition. But that’s not the case this time around.
“When Celtic won the Scottish Cup Final through Adam Idah’s goal, Rodgers openly stated straight after he wanted the Irish striker’s services on a permanent agreement. Negotiations can be tricky but I find it baffling Celtic have completed their pre-season programme of fixtures with him not in the door.
“Same for Paulo Bernardo. He should have been in the USA playing against DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea and getting up to speed with the team, instead of signing less than three days before the Premiership begins. Keepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo are in but outfield-wise Celtic are weaker now than when leaving Hampden after the Cup Final. Rodgers has talked about not snoozing and he is right. And what needs to happen needs to happen faster, if in any way possible.”
The Celtic side today may be missing Daizen Maeda who Brendan said may have to sit this one out as he is still recovering from the clash of knees suffered in the 4-1 win over Chelsea during the club’s successful summer tour.
If that is the case then Celtic, having sold Oh for £4.5m and failed so far to bring in Adam Idah from Norwich City, will have one striker available in the squad. Should anything happen to Kyogo…
Sutton is also correct to question the length of time it took to conclude the deal with Benfica for Paulo Bernardo. The Portuguese midfielder missed the USA Tour and the entire Celtic pre-season amid ongoing haggling but has at least worked with Benfica in their own pre-season.
The goalkeeping changes is the one area that has been handled well to date. There are of course the rest of August to add to the squad, and also to move a few more players out the door. That is likely to include Matt O’Riley and as he was Celtic’s best player last season, will obviously weaken the Celtic midfield. With a fee of £25m coming in and with a zero net spend so far then there must be more signs of ambition coming through from the boardroom to back the manager.
There was little to be concerned about yesterday at Tynecastle and the worrying aspect for Celtic supporters could well be that the board sit on the cash thinking there’s more than enough quality on the current Celtic squad, even allowing for the sale of O’Riley, to win the the title yet again this season. Maybe, but even if that assessment is right, it does nothing to address the problems that Celtic have had to endure in European football in recent times.
Brendan Rodgers said when he came back to the club that he wanted to address this and re-establish Celtic as a credible force in European football.
On Friday Brendan pointed out that all three Champions League matches last season at Celtic Park could have been won and that is certainly undeniable. But it’s about getting these games over the line and for that he needs that extra quality.
The support has the desire and the ambition that matches to manager’s, the question we’ll get answered by the end of the month is where the board stands on this. And surely these quality signings signings that the manager wants will appreciate in value and can be sold down the line for more lager profits.
Whereas the value in keeping the money in the back to fund a season or two when we don’t reach the Champions League, is cautious beyond belief and is likely to become a self fulfilling prophecy. Then they’d have the gaul to tell us how clever they’d been in protecting the club.
So can understand promoting Chris Sutton remarks, that suits an agenda currently within our club?
Very poor, I would say, especially as the USA tour could have been looked upon for Rodgers to be making some of his decision making process, that was involved?
So who are filling our 8 homegrown quota places available within our 25man squad that has to be built?
Maybe Rodgers should ignore a process that takes up a third of the places available within the 25man squad?
As so many seem to know the answers to the existing situation, identifieding the solutions should be a straightforward process then?
Strange really, when what is the solution and decision Rodgers has to make regarding the LB position?
Currently looking like Taylor and Anderson in the position and filling 2 or our 8 homegrown quota required?
Is that good enough for ourselves, especially with Taylor contract situation where it currently is at?
Is lawal worthy of a place within the squad, where calmac and iwata would possibly occupy the position available?
Should Mikey Johnston be sold, and leave ourselves without a 2nd striker option at present, or another wide option available within the squad?
We still require a level of flexibility within our attacking options or should we be staying as predictable with our current striking options as Ange once did?
I don’t expect ourselves ever to get 8 homegrown quality players of CL standard into our squad?
However, I still expect them to be actually worth there positions in our squad, especially with the roles that they might have to play for ourselves, if called upon?
So simple is the solution, that I still haven’t seen anyone provide the answers for Rodgers regarding the situation, especially when the blame the board agenda will do?
Are we really meant to become so stupid to think that the board are actually making these decisions upon the 8 homegrown quota players, that are meant to be our own at present?
Maybe the achievements of the Lisbon lions in this area within our club, no longer matter whatsoever these days?
The current agenda on show does stink to high heavens, with trying to blame people for the decision making process that doesn’t involve them whatsoever?
Totally dismissing current players in a position within our squad who are regarded as not good enough, but meant to be one of our own at the same time?
But more importantly, is the questioning of our manager Rodgers in the current overall requirements of his job, that is in operation at present?
And it’s all so simple that it should have been well resolved before now?
Sounds like we are paying Rodgers such big bucks for nothing really? because his job is so easy and simply straightforward in the decision making process, especially when everyone seems to know the answers including Chris Sutton at present?