With a healthy bank balance and seven of the last nine domestic trophies vying for space in their glittering showcases, it’s fair to say Celtic are operating from a position of strength.
The champions will be the big favorites when it comes to this season’s league title. As I write, Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate are still in the building and have excelled in recent friendly victories over great English opponents across the pond.
That said, the fact that only two goalkeepers were signed this summer is a bit strange.
Where are all the external additions that quality manager Brendan Rodgers has been asking for since before the turn of the year? Are Parkhead’s money men waiting to see if they can get more than £20m for O’Riley, who looks almost certain to be sold?
With the money pouring into the Champions League – added to the cash reserves already in place – surely the board can afford to loosen the purse strings, regardless of the Danish star’s apparently imminent departure?
This would, of course, depend on how ambitious the club really is. Are they content to simply remain at the top of the domestic heap? Or will they make too much of Rodgers’ oft-stated desire to have a proper chance in European football’s premier competition?
I must admit that I found it a little curious that the previous manager’s business always seemed to be done quickly, neatly and with a minimum of fuss. Ange Postecoglou identified, signed and settled players early in most of her transfer windows.
The same clearly did not happen with Brendan Rodgers. I’m not convinced that many of last summer’s signings were “his” players. What is undeniable is the lack of impact most of them made.
You’d give Luis Palma passing grades and that’s probably it. The coach wanted big reinforcements in January and got Nicolas Kuhn and a half-season loan for Adam Idah. Both good additions, it is important to highlight, with the German continuing to adapt well if the summer friendlies are anything to go by.
A good pre-season can do wonders for a player. Idah could well return from Norwich permanently, but the length of time the deal is taking suggests a bit of skill on both sides of the negotiating table. Norwich want the best value, naturally, while Celtic won’t pay over the odds.
A striker, a midfielder and at least some defensive reinforcements are needed to improve a team that already looks strong. Before the ball was kicked inside, Celtic were already looking quite sharp. Just ask Man City and Chelsea.
But if the Scottish champions are not to stand still – and are to realize their manager’s ambitions of European respectability while complementing domestic dominance – the quality players he has been calling for for most of the year should indeed be arriving. It is sharp. Parkhead faithful will inform the council quickly if they feel they are being misled.
