Charlie Nicholas thinks Brendan Rodgers may make a decision over his Celtic future THIS summer.
Rodgers has been backed financially by the Celtic hierarchy since his stunning return to the club in the summer of 2023.
He’s spent more than £60m across the last four windows, which has included breaking Celtic’s incoming transfer record twice with the purchases of Adam Idah and Arne Engels.
But Nicholas isn’t impressed by Celtic’s recruitment and spending so far this summer, with around £2.5m splurged on new signings.
And the former Sky Sports pundit reckons if Rodgers isn’t able to spend big again, it could make the Northern Irishman’s mind up this summer with regards to not extending his contract.
Charlie Nicholas on the future of Rodgers at Celtic
Nicholas notes that one of the big reasons why Rodgers left Celtic in February 2019 was due to a lack of financial backing from Peter Lawwell.
And it could be deja vu for the Hoops if the same happens across the rest of the current transfer window, with Rodgers’ contract set to expire in 2026.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Nicholas said: “From the first time when he left, he was in a bit of turmoil with Peter Lawwell, who wasn’t giving him the funds that he was demanding.
“Last season, he was given the funds he was supposedly demanding, and did the team improve?
“I don’t think they improved last season. They have to improve this season – it’s been a bit of a rebuild, there are five or six players that need to go out and they’ve brought in five players, but none are magical signings.
“Brendan knows what he wants and knows his budget, but I honestly don’t know whether he will stay or go beyond next season.
“If the transfer market is not going to be kind to him or if he’s not getting help in the market, he will not be happy and that might just back him to say, ‘this season could be my last’. But I honestly don’t know.”
Brendan Rodgers most expensive Celtic signings
Celtic have been busy this summer, with six new faces already secured. The marquee signing so far is Kieran Tierney on a free from Arsenal.
The Hoops have millions in the bank to spend, so fans shouldn’t worry. Engels and Idah were signed for a combined £20m in August last year, so there’s still plenty of time for Rodgers.
Engels and Idah are Rodgers’ most expensive Celtic recruits, with Odsonne Edouard and Jota taking third and fourth spots after their £9m and £8m moves respectively.
Rodgers recruited Christopher Jullien for £7m, while Auston Trusty was a £6m purchase last summer from Sheffield United.
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