Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton reckons the Bhoys are at least three players short of having the squad capable to meet upcoming challenges and has called on the club to have a big end to the transfer window.
Celtic have already made six first-team squad signings, the latest being Gustaf Lagerbielke. The central defensive position now looks to have a settled four-man lineup for the coming campaign but Sutton reckons that Brendan Rodgers still badly needs some reinforcements in areas across the pitch, including a quality replacement for Jota.
The pundit said [Daily Record]: “Brendan Rodgers has dipped quietly into the transfer market until this point. But there are now less than two weeks to really start rattling on the window and making a proper noise because Celtic need it to happen.
“Let’s not waste words here. Celtic, for the levels the manager and the club are trying to reach, are stretched. It’s hardly what you would call breaking point, but the squad needs additions of quality to compete both in Europe and at home.
“Rodgers is working towards that and I’m sure big players will be added within the next fortnight because, quite frankly, I think there simply has to be. And that’s even before anyone takes in the possibility of another top contributor following Jota and Carl Starfelt out of the door.
“Celtic need to shine on the pitch in Ayrshire and they need to start really turning up the heat in the transfer market. Put it this way, if Jota and Starfelt were still at the club, they’d be starting in Ayrshire. So that tells me, even without injuries, the squad is weaker now than the end of last season. Rodgers is trying to develop his new-look side and he is well capable of knitting things all together, but he needs to have the right building blocks. And, right now, I can’t help but think he’s at least three short.”
Sutton goes on to cite the left-back position, midfield and wide attacking positions as direct concerns he has. The former striker’s words will chime with a fair amount of fans, but I’m not sure Celtic are quite in the doom and gloom scenario being painted.
There has been no indication from the club that Celtic are finished with their transfer business, far from it. Rodgers reiterated again yesterday that he’s hoping for more arrivals.
The transfer window should really be judged when it’s all done and dusted. Right now we’re almost in limbo, pre-judging what might happen rather than what has happened.
Would it have been preferable to bring in real quality before this point? Of course, but it’s a difficult market that Celtic operate in and they are assuredly trying to do the deals needed. Everyone knows they are needed.
In other news, “You can tell straight away in training”; New Celtic Bhoy already impressing Rodgers at Lennoxtown.
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