It seems there are few managers better placed to understand what is going on with Saudi Arabia and their mega-money push in football than Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
Not only has Rodgers seen one of his own top talents move to the country in Jota, but he also had lengthy chats with former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson before his move and held his own meetings with clubs over there prior to his return to Celtic.
The Bhoys boss reckons what they are putting together is going to attract a lot of talents to leave European football over the next while. They not only have cash, but a vision that can be sold to players. And Rodgers has warned that a Saudi club can come in and offer a Celtic star eye-watering sums at any time.
The Celtic manager said [Scottish Daily Mail, 13/08 print edition page 94]: “I had two really long meetings with a team out there. What makes it interesting is they obviously have a plan, in terms of what they are wanting to do and achieve in terms of football. And they have money.
“So there are two items that are dangerous: a plan and money. They want the game to grow. So it can be a challenge. It is interesting to see the number of top players who have gone out there. I spoke at length to Jordan Henderson before he went.
“We have seen the other players going out. It is interesting. If players, managers and coaches are going to be offered the level of finance that is being offered, then of course it can make you wobble. In terms of profile, if you are taking the current Liverpool captain to Saudi Arabia, then of course I would say it’s a big deal. There’s clearly an appetite there to progress it and there’s finance behind it.”
And on the prospect of more Celtic players making the jump, Rodgers continued: “That’s nothing to do with Celtic really. A club from Saudi could come in and offer money, a life-changing deal, to a player. That then wobbles the player. That is unfortunately what can happen. You can decide to keep the player — but you might not have the same player. So there are all types of things you have to weigh up as a club.”
It’s certainly an added complication when it comes to Celtic’s own business. Not only do the club have to contend with teams in the top five European leagues, but a new potential destination has popped up that is almost impossible to compete with.
It makes long-term squad building even more crucial. The recruitment team at the Bhoys must continue to bring in top young talents that can be nurtured into major assets on the pitch and, eventually, off it too. Replacements also have to be lined up, with the club ready to move into the market if a big player does indeed leave unexpectedly.
In fairness, that’s what we’ve started to see from Celtic over the last couple of years. But it’s only going to get more challenging, so the club need to stay sharp and ahead of the curve.
In other news, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers set to keep Aberdeen waiting.
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