Celtic have been the dominant force in Scotland for pretty much over two decades now give or take one or two seasons.
Celtic’s trophy history is an array of glittering silverware made up of trebles the likes the supporters have never seen before.
Trailing in Celtic’s wake is Rangers. And whilst their rivals have been second-best for every season by one since 2012, the Ibrox club are always hovering there and there abouts.
But this season it is completely different. Celtic’s finances are such that they are now on a different planet and the gap from not just Rangers, but every team in Scotland, has grown bigger.
Recognising that gap, former Celtic striker, Andy Walker, says that for some reason, this time the chasm between the two clubs just feels ‘different’ now.
Celtic are at a ‘different level’ from Rangers
Walker told The Go Radio Football Show, “I just feel as though right now the gap’s never been as big for a long time.
“You read the financial results for Celtic, for Rangers, you just make the very quick comparison. Rangers have got between one and two million pounds in the bank.
“Celtic have got £77m in the bank. And I think for a long time, Celtic fans thought, Celtic are just going to spend enough to keep ahead of Rangers. But I think this summer was different and it had to be because of the manager.
“You wouldn’t get Ronny Deila, Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou spending that money. They wouldn’t have been, well, they weren’t allowed to, but Brendan Rodgers’ second time around, maybe it was one of the conversations that they had to spend at a different level.”
What Celtic spent on transfer this summer
Celtic spent plenty of cash this summer and whilst fans might have an opinion on the net spend overall, it can’t be denied that the board stepped up to strengthen key positions at the club.
Whilst there is still work needing to be done, here is what Brendan Rodgers spent on Celtic transfers this summer:
- Arne Engels – FC Augsburg – £11m
- Adam Idah – Norwich City – £8.5m (potentially rising to £9.5m)
- Auston Trusty – Sheffield United – £6m
- Paulo Bernardo – SL Benfica – £3.5m
- Luke McCowan – Dundee – £1m
- Viljami Sinisalo – Aston Villa – £1m
- Kasper Schmeichel – Anderlecht – free
- Alex Valle – Barcelona – loan
That’s a £32m outlay Rodgers has splashed strengthening Celtic and the fans are seeing the results of that on the park.
With the January window coming up, there is no doubt Celtic fans will want to see more of the £77m the club has spent on the team.
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