“Rodgers Demands Action: Celtic’s Transfer Dilemma Amid Rangers’ Turmoil”
Brendan Rodgers addressed the Celtic supporters about transfers during a visit to the United States, but his real message seemed aimed at the Parkhead board. Rodgers, known for his subtle communication, appeared to be signaling to chief executive Michael Nicholson and chief finance officer Chris McKay. He indicated that while he was doing his part with the squad, it was now up to the board to secure new signings, implying some pressure for them to act.
Currently, Celtic only has one striker, Kyogo, and Rodgers wants two more, including Adam Idah and possibly a young prospect or loan player. The team needs reinforcements in several positions, such as left back, center half, midfield, and possibly out wide. Nicolas Kuhn has shown promise in pre-season, particularly against Manchester City. Despite uncertainties with players like Yang and Mikey Johnston, Celtic requires reinforcements across the pitch.
They have strengthened the goalkeeper position with Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo, both of whom performed well in the US, especially Schmeichel with notable saves against Erling Haaland. However, other areas still need attention. Rodgers emphasized focusing on their own team rather than worrying about rivals like Rangers.
This is especially crucial given the turmoil at Rangers. Every day brings new drama, either at Ibrox or Hampden, with issues ranging from stadium concerns to lackluster signings. A major overhaul seems to be in progress, with key players like Connor Goldson and possibly James Tavernier expected to leave. Replacing these experienced players will be necessary.
Additionally, there’s the situation with Todd Cantwell. It was surprising to see Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement announce that Cantwell had submitted a transfer request after finishing a press conference. This wasn’t entirely unexpected, as there were rumors back in January about Cantwell wanting to leave. He seems unsuited to the intense scrutiny of Glasgow football, and his manager also didn’t seem keen on him. Usually, players seeking a new challenge have achieved significant success at their current club, but Cantwell hasn’t accomplished much at Rangers. His legacy is more about social media antics than on-field performance. Despite showing early promise and gaining fan support, he has failed to deliver consistently. It will be interesting to see if he moves on or remains a key player at Rangers this season.
Rangers’ situation is messy, but Celtic can’t assume the league will be easy. They need to aim higher, particularly in Europe. Rodgers returned to Celtic not just to dominate domestically but to make a significant impact in European competitions. He made it clear from the start that he wants to succeed in Europe, which requires proper signings. Last season’s performance in a relatively easy Champions League group was disappointing.
With the Champions League more critical than ever, another poor campaign could have lasting damage on Scotland’s coefficient. The new format, with eight guaranteed games, offers more opportunities for Celtic to earn points and potentially reach the knockout stages. However, the automatic group stage spot is disappearing, and if Celtic underperform again, it might take a long time to recover. All the money in the bank won’t matter if they’re shut out of Europe’s premier competition for the foreseeable future. This is a clear message the Celtic board needs to understand.