Celtic’s January transfer window has been an interesting one.
If you think it has been crazy so far, it might just go one better because the window will slam shut next Monday and Celtic are still looking to boost their squad.
Everyone knows that the powers that be at Parkhead have always had big money in the pot to spend.
Quite a lot was spent in the summer when Arne Engels joined Celtic for a record fee, after Matt O’Riley joined Brighton, not forgetting that Adam Idah returned for big dough also after his successful loan spell.
But there is a reason for the champions of Scotland, not just being top of the class on the pitch, but off the field of play also.
It has been displayed in no better ways than with the recent transfer dealings from Celtic Park involving a certain Jota returning and Kyogo Furuhashi signing for Rennes.
Andy Halliday defends Celtic for selling Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo will forever be a Celtic legend and many might never truly understand why he decided to leave midway through a campaign.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed that the Japan star expressed a desire to go months ago and now he has got his wish.
Some have been baffled by Celtic allowing Kyogo to go, including Chris Sutton, but Andy Halliday defended the club’s call, as he told Open Goal.
The Motherwell midfielder admitted that he was ‘surprised’ the 30-year-old wanted to leave, but ‘you can’t criticise’ Celtic for selling.
“Aye (if a player asks to leave you have to let him go),” agreed Halliday on Kyogo wanting to go.
On French league being top five leagues: “Ligue 1,” responded a shocked Halliday. “Rennes isn’t a bigger club than Celtic.
“I am not quite strong as you about it (Celtic selling Kyogo). I don’t think you can criticise Celtic for selling him. I honestly don’t. I get it, if you have the option, you are hoping, ‘listen, I know you aren’t happy. We will sell you in the summer’. I get that, 100%. But if the bid comes in and he wants to leave. I think it’s hard for them to say no, isn’t it?! But he is a big player for them – I am surprised he wanted to leave so much.”
Halliday impressed by Celtic’s ‘mental’ transfer deal for Jota
You have to say that Jota donning Celtic colours again has softened the blow of Kyogo leaving, even though many would have loved to see the duo reunite on the pitch again.
The versatile forward left the Hoops during the summer of 2023 and secured a £25 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side, Al-Ittihad.
Halliday stated that it is ‘mental’ Celtic have managed to sell him for so much money, and 18 months later, he is back for just ‘£9 million’, as he added on Open Goal.
“The one, for me, how they have got Jota for £9 million, after selling him for £25 million is, I don’t get,” responded an impressed Halliday.
“I think it’s mental. They basically loaned him out for £18 million for 18 months. How has that happened?”
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