It hasn’t been a great week for Celtic, starting with the dropped points against Motherwell and then getting knocked out of Europe in midweek.
In truth, the latter was expected or it was coming over the hill given how Celtic have performed in the Champions League this season.
Despite that, it was still disappointing to see Brendan Rodgers and his players leave Rome empty-handed after losing 2-0 to Lazio.
A lot has been said since that defeat, including from John Hartson pleading to the Celtic board to take action in the transfer market, as he told Go Radio.
The former striker stated ‘All I keep hearing from Brendan is we need more quality’ if the team wants to take that next step.
John Hartson highlighted how, if the ambitions of those at the top is to continue to be a success on the domestic scene only, then they can continue in their current ways.
But he feels to bridge that gap in the Champions League, Brendan Rodgers needs backing with a lot more quality.
Celtic moving forward under Brendan Rodgers
“All I keep hearing from Brendan is ‘we need more quality’ and ‘we lack quality’, said Hartson.
“Quality is the word. Are the board listening? Is Brendan forceful, in terms of ‘I want to bring in a better quality of player?’ You can compete every single year in the Champions League and be disappointing, to say the least, and that’s what Celtic have been over a number of years now.
“So, Brendan has to go to the board and say ‘if you want me to challenge in Europe, then you have to give me finances to bring in a better quality of player. If you want me to win the league, like Celtic have going for 12 titles in the last 13 years, cups and Trebles, then I can possibly do that with the group that I have’.
“But when they are going into the Champions League, they need a better quality of player – when are they going to address it? You hope so (in January).”
Will Celtic spend during the January transfer window?
The fans know the money is there to spend, so it’s not a case of the pot being empty.
All of the big calls can’t be made in the winter, even if fans think it will be good to be pro-active and prepare ahead.
But some want some kind of movement or reaction to getting dumped out of Europe in such a poor fashion.
However, this might not just be a case of incomings, but outgoings also because several players are out of contract at the end of this season.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
