This part of the year can be an unsettling period for football fans at the best of times, but with the amount of upheaval at Celtic over the last month, it’s especially easy to fill the void of information and matches with a bit of overthinking.
However, the reality is that the club remains in a very strong position and looks well-primed for a big summer on and off the pitch despite all the apparent changes happening.
The board were quick to appoint Brendan Rodgers in the wake of Ange Postecoglou’s departure to Spurs. The recruitment staff continue to work efficiently, too – securing the top prospects in Norwegian and Australian football for relatively low fees.
With the squad returning to training at Lennoxtown next week, we’re really only at the beginning of the process to ensure Celtic are where they need to be for the Scottish Premiership kick-off in early August.
More change could come but Celtic remain stable
The news of Jota potentially departing has undoubtedly unsettled a few fans. No one likes to see top talents leave Celtic. But the financials of that deal for all parties mean it’s likely to go through, allowing Celtic to pursue a top alternative and use even more muscle in the transfer window.
This is the aggressive transfer model many asked for in the wake of that failed 2020/21 season, in action. It’s increasingly unlikely Celtic will hold on to big assets any longer than two or three seasons. It’s a strategy that can only really be judged over the long term.
Rumours are again swirling around Reo Hatate too, despite his agent apparently ruling out a move to the Saudi league earlier this week. [Daily Record] There’s no firm sign he’s set for an exit yet, but again, at this time of year, it’s easy to let your mind bite on any kind of gossip and let your mind wander.
Celtic are in a very stable place even if a couple of our big players make an exit. Reports on Rodgers’ arrival indicated he will be substantially backed when it comes to spending on transfers. There has to be an element of trust that the club can secure the deals that will make a difference across the coming campaign. We are still a full two months away from the transfer window closing, after all.
Rodgers has a treble-winning squad to work with, which won’t be entirely dismantled. Those players will also work with the same coaching staff that served them so well last season. There is definite continuity and Rodgers’ arrival, aligned with his transfer dealings, could add the freshness we really needed anyway.
Once the team get back to training and we start to see more incoming transfers, everything will start to come together. We should all be looking ahead at this new era with excitement, because the signs are that the club will deliver what we want to see, again.
In other news, The profit Celtic will make on Jota if reported deal goes through.
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