Celtic’s remaining transfer budget addressed by Brendan Rodgers after £9.5m Adam Idah deal

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Celtic are not in a position where player exits determine whether or not signings will be made in the closing weeks of the transfer window.

The Bhoys have just completed a major transfer deal with Norwich City, signing Adam Idah for a fee that could reach as much as £9.5m with add-ons.

While the market is ballooning in leagues around Europe, it’s still pretty rare for Celtic to spend that kind of money on a single player.

Everyone knows that the Bhoys are flush with cash right now, in comparison to other Scottish sides at least, but there’s little doubt the Idah move took a significant chunk out of the budget available to Brendan Rodgers.

Nonetheless, the manager is still bullish about Celtic’s spending capabilities in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers talks up Celtic’s financial strength

Asked whether exits would need to occur for other deals to be completed, Rodgers responded [Celtic FC]: “I don’t think so. Financially we are in a really good place. The sale of anyone shouldn’t have to determine what we do. I have said before we don’t want to lose Matt O’Riley. I still feel we need to strengthen in certain areas and we have the resources to do that.

“Selling players won’t determine what we can bring in. We want to improve the squad. That is separate from the guys that are here because they have been absolutely brilliant. They have been great for me. We have connected and it has been great.

“You always have to look to improve. There are certain gaps in our squad where we are light in terms of numbers, cover and competition. So that is what we have to work very hard to try and achieve by the end of the window.”

Rodgers looking for ‘higher level’ of Celtic deal

Later pressed on whether we could see large chunks of money spent like the Idal deal, Rodgers explained: “It’s one where, as an example, if you spend £18 million, and you spend it on nine players, I would hope there’s a possibility to spend £18m on three players.

“Our model is to bring in young players to develop and improve, but you can bring young players in to develop and improve but at a higher level. And then you know a little bit more of what you’re getting maybe and there’s maybe a higher ceiling.

“But you might be able to bring in one more at that level or two more. I think we can do that, it’s just about getting the right player.”

Promising noises then, from a fan perspective. We’re all waiting to see what Celtic’s next move in the market is. Going by these comments, it could be as ambitious as the recent spend on Idah.