Celtic have spent modestly in the transfer window so far this summer.
Six players have been signed by Brendan Rodgers as he builds his squad for the upcoming domestic and European campaigns.
But that has only come at a cost of approximately £2.3m, with the vast majority of that figure being spent on Benjamin Nygren.
The Hoops have millions left in the bank to strengthen the squad, and journalist Roger Hannah thinks allowing Rodgers access to a hefty chunk of it could be crucial to his future.
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‘Blue chip’ Celtic signing could influence Rodgers future
Rodgers explained that his return to Celtic was fuelled by an ambition to make better progress in Europe than during his first spell.
He was backed enormously in the transfer market last summer with the likes of Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Auston Trusty joining for around £26m combined.
That financial support helped Celtic reach the knockout phase play-offs of the Champions League last season, so you’d think Rodgers would welcome the same again this summer.
Hannah, speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, thinks that showing Rodgers the money is the key for the Celtic board to tie the boss down on an extended contract.
His deal expires in 2026 and Hannah suspects facilitating a ‘blue chip’ signing for Rodgers is almost a non-negotiable for the Celtic hierarchy.
Asked initially if Celtic are likely to spend big again, Hannah responded: “I had this conversation with somebody earlier on. I suspect that there will be a sort of blue chip signing. I think there has to be a blue chip signing.
“Last summer, they did spend big just before the window shut. So they can spend the money when they want to.
“But the big picture? You’re getting into the last year of Brendan Rodgers’ contract. Now, I’m not sure whether Celtic or Brendan Rodgers know how this game’s going to play out, whether he stays on or doesn’t stay on.
“But if you’re the Celtic board, and you want to convince Brendan Rodgers to stay, then the best way to do that is to give him the tools to mount a big push at home and in Europe next season.”
Celtic’s most expensive transfers of all time
With the arrival of Engels last summer, that placed the Belgian at the top of Celtic’s record incomings leaderboard at £11m.
Idah held the record for just a matter of days after his initial £8.5m move from Norwich City, with the fee potentially rising to £9.5m if add-ons are met.
Auston Trusty’s £6m move sees him in the top 10 most expensive Celtic signings ever, with Hannah expecting another to breach the list this summer.
His prediction has been given more substance in recent days given Nicolas Kuhn’s agreed £17.2m sale to Italian side Como.
It would be a surprise if the Celtic board do not give some of that cash to Rodgers, otherwise it would be seen as counter-productive if they really want the Bhoys boss to stay beyond 2026.
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