Michael Stewart sends clear Celtic transfer message, makes Brendan Rodgers and Europe claim

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Michael Stewart has now raised his doubts about whether Celtic will bring in a sufficient number of players during the January transfer window.

Only days remain before the window slams shut and Brendan Rodgers has only seen one name come through the door.

Nicolas Kuhn signed from Rapid Vienna and he made his Celtic debut during the 1-0 win over Ross County on Saturday.

Whether it be this month or in the summer, Michael Stewart made it clear that if and when Celtic bring in new players, they have to be ‘starting XI’ signings, as he told The Scottish Football Product. 

There is no doubt that there is enough money in the kitty, more than enough money in fact, it’s just a case of questioning why only one new face has arrived this month.

Many were left surprised when Brendan Rodgers re-joined the club this summer, but surely he joined to progress the team in Europe also.

If the Irishman has anything to prove, it’s trying to show the world that he can do it in the Champions League, and he’s going to need to be backed to make that a reality.

That was highlighted by Michael Stewart when discussing what type of deals Celtic need to conclude.

Celtic January transfer window

“They need to sign some starting XI players,” said Stewart. “It doesn’t look like it will happen this January window.

“But, certainly in the summer, they are going to have to sign some starting XI players that are going to improve that starting XI to move things on.

“Brendan Rodgers has gone back to Celtic to, you would imagine, make a fist of Europe and make a real sort of dent on things there by progressing the club forward.

“At the moment, because of a number of those reasons, because of the disruption to their starting XI, at the moment, and lack of progress in the transfer market, they haven’t been able to do that yet.”

Added pressure

If very little business is done from now until the end of the window, then it only just increases the pressure on Rodgers.

Yes, the team is sitting top of the table, but it is pretty clear that the performances have been below par.

The win over Ross County, and the crowd reaction at the full-time whistle, was a prime example of that.

Yes, you can look at the positives and say if the levels increase, then Celtic will steamroll to the title.

But if that doesn’t happen, then it will only spell trouble during these coming months.