Brendan Rodgers has shared that internal talks and plans about Celtic’s January transfer window are already underway, making it clear that he is looking for a specific profile of player.
The feeling amongst plenty of Celtic supporters is that the club perhaps could have done more to bolster the incoming manager’s squad in the wake of Jota and Carl Starfelt’s exits, especially in the context of being competitive in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Rodgers himself has indicated he would have liked to have seen one or two more players in the door, although stipulates that almost every manager in football feels like that once the window wraps up.
Now, the manager has reiterated his desire to balance out the youthful age of his squad with some proven quality.
The Bhoys boss said [Sky Sports]: “The window closed, we had the players we had in and I’m a coaching manager and we will work with the very, very best players at our disposal to make our performance level the best we can possibly be. And now we are preparing already for the January window and the summer window.
“Listen, if you look at the strategy of the club, it’s signing the younger players to develop and improve. I think I have said it before here, that to maximise that potential, of course, you need that balance in your squad.
“You need quality and you need experience, and that will obviously help and support potential that you have. So that’s something that hopefully over the course of my time here the squad can regenerate into that way.”
We know the club had resources during the summer months. The recent annual accounting report demonstrated that.
Chairman Peter Lawwell stated the board’s intention to retain a cash buffer, but some will wonder whether the hierarchy have been too hesitant or too pragmatic.
Obviously Celtic can’t spend beyond their means but with tens of millions in the bank and some deficiencies in Rodgers’ squad, many will be looking for the club to be more proactive when the January window comes around.
That manager has stated what qualities he wants to progress his squad. It’s up to those above him to deliver.
In other news, Celtic’s Champions League knockout chances assessed by popular stats account.
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