Chris Sutton wants Celtic to step up their summer transfer window business, feeling they’ve done little to strengthen last season’s treble-winning squad.
The Bhoys have completed the signings of Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio and Yang Hyun-jun, but crucially have sold one of the squad’s best, most popular players in Jota.
Sutton understands that patience is required on the trio of young prospects that have arrived at Celtic Park but is keen to now see the club pursue ‘marquee’ signings, and soon.
Writing in his Daily Record column, the former striker said: “The signings so far could all still do well, but you still need the wow factor – the kinds of signings that give the club and the fans a real lift. Managers are judged on their recruitment. I’d imagine Rodgers will have a central role this time, but it’s a difficult market Celtic are in.
“The model will remain the same. They will want to buy players with potential, develop them and eventually sell them for a big profit – and then bring in even better players to do the same.
“Postecoglou talked about it last season. You buy a £2m player and turn him into a £10m player. Then you get a £5m one and get him to be worth £20m. That’s where Rodgers is right now. He needs to add quality that’s at a higher level of the ones who are there now if he wants to make more of an impact in the Champions League.
“It’s tricky, because the players they will be chasing will be wanted by other clubs as well. That might call for some patience – but there’s no such thing as patience in football. I’d be stunned if Celtic didn’t have a couple of marquee signings on board for the start of the season. But they do need to get a move on.”
These words likely resonate with some supporters, but for me, it’s a little panicky. Yes, there are just a few weeks until the Scottish Premiership starts but there’s still six weeks of the transfer window left to strengthen for the Champions League group stage.
Let’s not forget Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Giorgos Giakoumakis all arrived late in Postecoglou’s first transfer window. As Sutton says, sometimes the best players take the longest to come in because they have more options.
We know Celtic have the resources and, with the return of Rodgers, the ambition. There’s needs to be faith first-team strengthening signings are in the offing. While patience may not exist in football when it comes to perception, the reality is a little different.
In other news, Celtic are interested in signing Premier League free agent; echo of first Brendan Rodgers spell.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
