It has been an interesting second spell in charge at Celtic for Brendan Rodgers, after he replaced Ange Postecoglou in the dugout in 2024.
There have been several common themes from Rodgers’ first spell in charge to his current one, including Celtic eating up the trophies, but also how the transfer business has been conducted.
Rodgers was pretty vocal about how the powers that be go about their transfer business when he was first in Glasgow, and he is at it again during the 2025 summer transfer window.
But was the same happening under Postecoglou when he was in charge of Celtic?
- READ MORE: Celtic star told he has ‘until the window closes’ to prove he has a future amid St Mirren showing
Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers’ transfer methods at Celtic compared
Celtic like to buy quite a lot of project-like signings, and then sell them on for big fees, for example, Matt O’Riley signing for Brighton in a £25 million deal, or a host of Japanese players arriving from the J-League.
Speaking on Open Goal, Paul Slane questioned why there always seems to be an issue with the Celtic manager and the board when Rodgers is in charge, but that wasn’t the case with Postecoglou.
“Why does this always happen with Rodgers?” asked Slane. “Every transfer window, this happens with him. It’s like he isn’t getting backed or ‘they aren’t really my signings.’
“See, when Ange was at Celtic, the transfer recruitment was incredible, and they were so ahead of their time. They were a transfer window ahead and ready to go again. Get this player out, and another player comes in. The club seemed to be together. It was properly healthy. That probably isn’t the right word.
“But with Rodgers, it always seems like it’s almost the manager against the club. I don’t understand it. See when he is coming in, ‘Oh, this isn’t my signing.’ I don’t think he should be coming out and saying that.”
Andy Halliday then added: “What he said about the boy Inamura when he signed was mad.”
Slane then continued: “Bizarre. 23 years old. And then, after a week, he is saying, ‘Oh no, he is going to be part of the plans.’”
Postecoglou signings who have been a success under Rodgers
You could argue that Rodgers’ best players right now are Postecoglou’s signings, and not many of his own transfers have worked.
For Celtic’s opening day win over St Mirren, Auston Trusty and Arne Engels, purchased for a combined £17 million, were sat on the bench; that’s on Rodgers and nobody else.
But have the Postecoglou signings been the bigger success?
- Celtic’s best defender? Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Most consistent fullback: Alistair Johnston
- Best midfielder, aside from Callum McGregor: Previously Matt O’Riley, but also Reo Hatate
- PFA Player of the Year: Daizen Maeda
- Best striker: Kyogo Furuhashi, who still needs replacing, and Rodgers’ signing of Adam Idah can’t take that chance
- Best winger if everyone is fit? Maeda and Jota.
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