Another week, another quiet few days in the transfer window for the Scottish champions.
Celtic are inching closer to signing Norwich striker Adam Idah following last season’s successful loan spell.
It’s a deal, you would imagine, that could have been signed and sealed shortly after his Scottish Cup-winning goal. That was on May 25th. We are now halfway through August, with just a few weeks left for any negotiations.
This is not the first time I have mentioned a curious lack of activity at Celtic Park this summer, in the context of a manager who has been asking for reinforcements – and quality players – since before the turn of the year. It’s not that the club doesn’t have money. In fact, your bank balance has never been healthier.
Which brings home the realization that Parkhead council is doubling down on its long-term bet. Keeping cash reserves high for an expected drop in revenues in the coming seasons will be quite significant. Preparing for a rainy day, basically.
The days of Premiership winners automatically advancing to the Champions League are about to end. The coefficient has recently taken enough of a hit to mean the Scottish champions will have to overcome some tricky qualifiers if they are to hit the financial jackpot in Europe’s elite competition each year.
Celtic have enjoyed some good times in recent seasons, despite failing to influence the competition itself.
Rodgers would like to do that this season, which is why he wanted a different caliber player. The sale of Matt O’Riley could fund another acquisition or two, but the idea that this will be a “big” transfer window for Celtic seems false.
The cast is robust at the moment; the best players are all in shape. O’Riley is still in the building and the arrival of another top-class goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, means Joe Hart’s departure has been handled more than adequately.
It is clear that other additions are needed – and will come. They simply may not be as numerous or as expensive as many observers thought.
