‘In January’: Chris Sutton has a clear message for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers after dropped points

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Chris Sutton feels Celtic and Brendan Rodgers will need to dip into the January transfer market to improve the club’s squad depth.

Celtic dropped points away at Hibernian on Saturday, days after a pulsating and action-packed 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

That midweek game came at a cost because it saw the Bhoys lose Reo Hatate through injury – Sutton spoke about his absence.

But for the two games against Atletico and Hibs, other than the enforced change in midfield, Brendan Rodgers played the same team, which proved to be a mistake.

Sutton pointed out how the players were beginning to show signs of tiredness against Atletico and they ‘brought that second half performance into the Hibs game’, as he told Sky Sports Football (29/10/23 at 12:15 pm). 

Around the hour mark of the Hibs game, when Rodgers made changes to his forward line, the team looked far better, which further proves that the squad needs to be used a lot more, but does the man in the dugout trust the quality he has in his ranks?

Celtic drop points at Hibs

“I suppose the question is about strength in depth,” said Sutton. “They are going to have to get used to it because the games are coming thick and fast.

“Europe was a sore one in midweek. I thought Celtic were excellent in the first half and they got tired a little bit in the second half. I think they brought that second-half performance into the Hibs game. 

“They made the changes once they made the changes, then Celtic looked a lot better. The passing was quicker and sharper. But they need to find a way to cope on both fronts.

“Maybe the squad depth is something Brendan will look at in January.”

Celtic January transfer window

Well, it seems as though Hatate won’t be back until 2024, which doesn’t help matters because he was seriously starting to motor in the middle of the park.

Perhaps another Liam Scales moment is on the horizon. A backup player is handed a chance when they weren’t expected to and, all of sudden, they find themselves being a key player. 

In a strange way, squad depth can be built like that because Celtic have no issues now at the heart of defence and what’s on the bench.

Despite that, the January transfer window isn’t going to be about improving the XI, but bulking up those from behind, especially if there is Europe beyond Christmas.