Former Celtic hero, Pat Bonner, has said he expects Brendan Rodgers to tap into the transfer market before the window closes after yesterday’s cup exit to Kilmarnock.
Speaking post-match, Bonner was critical of Celtic’s performance and has said he expects Rodgers to add players who can cut it in the upcoming Champions League campaign.
Bonner said [BBC Sportsound], “The thing is he’s been down in England, he knows that market really, really well. But it takes money and it takes commitment from players to come up here also.
“But I would expect him to bring in at least two players before the Champions League to get them into a position where they’re going to play and make an impact.
“Because if he can’t do it with the squad he has here now, then he will definitely need to go to the market because that was not good enough.”
Celtic must deliver before the transfer window closes
It sounds like a bit of a strange statement to make considering we have added 6 new players so far this summer, but it’s true.
The early signs show that the new recruits may well struggle against Europe’s elite players at this moment in time.
Brendan Rodgers’ additions may well become very good players for Celtic as they settle into the club but when it comes to the Champions League, we need ready-made quality to help us try and progress.
Put it this way, look at how we performed last season under Ange Postecoglou with a settled Celtic side. Yes, we got plaudits for our playing style and having a go, but ultimately we were still on the wrong end of a few sore results.
Whilst domestically there is no need to push the panic button, how this side is performing at this moment in time leaves me looking at the Champions League with a sense of foreboding. Unless we add players who are capable of performing at that level now.
So, it’s over to Brendan and the Celtic board. There are less than two weeks to go until the transfer window closes and the clock is ticking.
In other news, BBC pundits deliver interesting assessment of Celtic’s Rugby Park penalty flashpoint
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