Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be aware of the reality his side find themselves in heading towards the second half of this term.
In a campaign of fits and starts, the Hoops have struggled for consistency at times; however, they retain a lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Once the January window rolled around, many expected several incomings after Rodgers’ repeated cry for ‘quality’ additions in the lead-up to the mid-season market opening for business.
Nevertheless, only Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah arrived at Parkhead, which has left some puzzled as to why the Irishman or his recruitment team didn’t act to bolster numbers further.
One significant outcome of the Bhoys’ transfer dealings last month is that they weren’t able to close a deal to bring in a left-back despite Greg Taylor’s recent absence due to a calf strain.
The Scottish top-flight holders did push hard to land an alternative to the 26-year-old, though to no avail, leaving Alexandro Bernabei as the only senior option amid a tough fixture schedule.
Fielding some difficult questions in his press conference before travelling to face Aberdeen, Rodgers did make an honest admission that his side could look to be ‘braver’ in the recruitment department and acknowledged some legitimate concerns from supporters.
Brendan Rodgers discusses Celtic ambitions
Despite some murmurs that Celtic and Rodgers are in the midst of a mini-crisis, the former Liverpool coach moved swiftly to quell suggestions that he is unhappy at Parkhead.
Instead, the 51-year-old is looking to ensure he is here for the long term and has spoken about his aspirations, including in Europe, during what is now a second spell in Glasgow for the Carnlough-born man.
Rodgers stated [Football Scotland]: “There were reports that I’m this really unhappy person and I flew out to Switzerland or somewhere after the game the other day, which I found strange when I was reading it in Finnieston.”
He later added on his future: “There’s probably still a wee bit of that of people thinking, ‘how long is he going to be here?’ and ‘can we trust him?’
“But I want to give everything, and I want to be here as long as I possibly can be. If I can have success here with the team and we can look forward and into Europe then brilliant.”
Brendan Rodgers looks to promote a united front at Celtic
Realistically, we could all sit here and pinpoint things that went wrong in the transfer window; however, it isn’t going to change now, and Rodgers is rightly trying to look towards the future, something that he can control.
Like many seasons, Celtic are embroiled in a tussle for the Scottish Premiership crown, and the backing of our fans will be crucial to helping the team get over the line.
There is no guarantee that will be the case, though the Irishman seems determined to promote a united front at Parkhead in the hope he can bring success to the club, both in the short and long term.
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