You can’t argue that Celtic didn’t achieve a lot under Brendan Rodgers. Securing two trebles and one part of a third, the former Hoops boss excelled in his post before ditching us for Leicester City.
However, one of the big failings during his time at Celtic boss was signing the quality needed in January that could help us prepare adequately for summer qualifiers.
A look at our January record in the market during the treble-treble years makes for dismal reading.
In 2017 we landed in Eboue Kouassi and… that was it. In 2018 we were lumbered with Marvin Compper, Charly Musonda and Jack Hendry – also adding Lewis Morgan and Scott Bain. Last year we made a number of short-term loan signings, also signing the so-far ineffective Marian Shved and Vakoun Bayo.
On two occasions it left us undercooked for summer European qualifiers when we were knocked out of the Champions League by AEK Athens and Cluj.
Lennon though appears intent on changing that, setting out his expectations for the looming 2020 January window.
As quoted by The Daily Record, he said this week: “It’s difficult to get the right quality in January but if you can strengthen, if you think it will make you better and have the funds, then it makes perfect sense. And doing it in January means you get them in the building for a few months before the start of next season.”
He told The Scottish Sun meanwhile: “I’d see a minimum of two — and no more than four — coming in and we’re working away on that.
“If you can do the business in January and get in ones you think can help you, then you can benefit in the summer.”
Although he qualifies his statements with the recognition that January can be a difficult transfer business environment, the manager is clearly looking to find the quality needed to progress as a club between January and June.
Reaping the rewards of hard work
With Head of Football Operations Nick Hammond reviewing our scouting and recruitment set-up over the last six months, we are arguably better prepared than ever to secure first-team talents.
Both Peter Lawwell and Lennon significantly praised Hammond at our recent AGM, suggesting that they are more than happy with the building blocks in place for future transfer windows. The Celtic Park boss even named him as his ‘go-to guy’ at the club.
Lennon clearly feels we can now be rewarded for that hard work, making it clear at least two first-team players will be on their way to Celtic Park in the new year.
If the manager can keep the core of his squad together and build on it early, there can be absolutely no excuses not to live up to our potential as qualification seeds next summer, if we win the league.
Lennon may well have us better prepared for that challenge than Rodgers ever did.
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