There won’t be any of the early January transfer deals Celtic fans have become accustomed to over the last couple of years going by the latest message from Brendan Rodgers.
Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were announced as signings on December 31st during Ange Postecoglou’s first season at the club while Alistair Johnston was already signed and training with the Bhoys by this time last year.
With Celtic needing an influx of first-team-ready players like those arrivals, some fans have been hoping the Bhoys would be similarly proactive in the January market this season.
However, it appears the Celtic boss will be waiting on the quality he desires to bolster his squad for the second half of the season and beyond.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic transfers
Asked if there were any imminent deals like recent seasons, Rodgers said [The Scotsman]: “Not yet. Not that I’m aware of. I don’t think there are any who’ll be right in at the beginning. I think every coach would want them in on the first day but they’ll be in when they are ready to be in, and if they are at the level to be in.”
Celtic need to have a strong window and with rivals already completing deals of their own, the pressure is on the recruitment staff to deliver what Rodgers is looking for.
The window could be complicated by the need to shift some players on before adding more, with Rodgers also clear he is seeking to reduce the overall numbers of his currently bloated squad.
However, given key talents such as Kyogo Furuhashi are due to head off to the Asian Cup soon, Celtic can’t sit on their hands too long.
Incoming talents would benefit from a strong period of training with their teammates before the competitive action begins again in the Scottish Cup on January 21st and in the Premiership on the 27th.
This isn’t a situation that can afford to wait until the final days of the window.
In other news, Marco Tilio’s representatives take action amidst ‘unhappy’ Celtic spell.
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