 We asked where you think Celtic need to strengthen before the transfer window closes. Here’s what some of you said:
Michael: We need a new midfielder with height and strength and a tall striker and goalkeeper in that order.
Daniel: I find it hard to know where to start. There are clearly positions needing depth - goalkeeper, left-back, left winger, but how is Brendan Rodgers going to use new players? What's his system? It’s hard to tell just now.
James: Work needs to be done everywhere, we need to bring Jota back and strengthen the defence and midfield. Joe Hart has played his part, no disrespect at all but we need a new goalkeeper.
Benjamin: They need a better manager, the level of performance towards the end of the last Rodgers era was not great and then there was the manner of his exit. He had little credit left in the bank and now watching the level of performance drop significantly post-Ange Postecoglou and a loss to Kilmarnock in the cup, things are not going well for Rodgers.
Davie: We have lost our identity to what we had past two seasons. We look lethargic, with no spark or fluency in our play and players are clearly struggling to adapt to the new manager's methods. I’m not panicking yet but we need a few quality players in as we are a far weakened team since last season.
Michael: Celtic need a goalkeeper as Hart is past it, a new left-back, a hard man in the middle of the park as they’re too light in there, and a left winger as Diazen Maeda is nowhere near the required standard. As it stands, the squad is weaker than at the same point last season. This squad is in serious need of surgery.
Peter: If we can get Jota on loan it's a no-brainer. He is a more talented player than any one at the club, he scores goals, creates for others and mainly all the teams in Scotland fear him on the pitch.
Brian: Reo Hatate will leave for England or Saudi Arabia and Jota will not return to us, neither will Kieran Tierney. A Rodgers rebuild is a must, we have money to buy quality players, the board must act quickly as a top priority.
Mark: Obviously Postecoglou is being missed by the players, but it is up to Rodgers to settle things down. The players are not yet up to their usual standard and a top-class central defender to keep things tight is essential. The purse strings must be opened for top talent. It would be great to see Jota nutmegging opponents again, I miss him.
Sean: Of course we would welcome Jota back. He loves the club so much he would come back. It would be great if we get Tierney back as well. Losing Carl Starfelt, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers would be tough for any defence. |
'Celtic will "look at" recruiting a new defender after three players were ruled out for eight weeks, says boss Brendan Rodgers. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh are all expected to be missing until October. Fellow defender Yuki Kobayashi and midfielder Reo Hatate are set to return after next month's international break.'
its not looking good, worse case scenario = cl whipping boys and league over by mid oct, rodgers sacked by xmas
'The defending Scottish Premiership champions are boosted by the return of Canada right-back Alistair Johnston against Saints'
lol@ '
In the aftermath of last weekend's "disappointing" result against Kilmarnock, the manager said, "losing and failing in games is integral to becoming successful". ' |
'Celtic have suffered another defensive injury blow as Maik Nawrocki has joined Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh on the sidelines with a hamstring problem that makes him a doubt for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on 3 September. (Daily Record)'
win the league for automatic qualification into the more lucrative new format CL should be priority. a draw at ibrox is currently looking like a good result!
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Tino, The Celtic Exchange podcast, external
When trying to find positives from the defeat at Rugby Park – a tricky task in itself – one blessing may just be the fact such an abject performance occurred so early in the campaign. Giving up one of last season’s hard-fought treble trophies in such meek fashion doesn’t sit easily with anyone, but if you had to pick a game to fall short in it may well have been Sunday’s League Cup loss. The defeat will have hurt Brendan Rodgers as much as any of the supporters and sees his incredible record of never having lost a domestic cup tie as Celtic manager disappear in one painful 90 minutes. However, if you were to press him – or any of us – on the biggest priority this season then retaining the Scottish Premiership title would surely top the list. It would represent a third consecutive title, but crucially would grant us automatic entry to next season's revamped Champions League, and with it the increased finances it would bring. That said, it's all well and good having untold riches, but what use are they to you as a football club if you’re reluctant to invest in the squad? That’s the concern among so many fans right now, and while I’m willing to reserve full judgement until the window closes at midnight next Friday it’s definitely giving cause for concern. The Celtic board must back the manager and show that their ambitions match his and those of the wider fanbase. The good news for all of us is that there’s still time to do so, but the club need to act swiftly. The defeat by Kilmarnock will surely provide a timely reminder to Michael Nicholson and his colleagues that high quality additions are needed as a matter of urgency with the first Glasgow derby of the season and our opening Champions League game just around the corner. From Rodgers’ point of view – regardless of an ever growing injury list – he must find a way to make his new side tick, and fast. Two wins from the opening two league games may have papered over the cracks with Celtic far from their free-flowing best against Ross County or Aberdeen. Rodgers will want to do things his way, and Angeball has now been consigned to the history books at Celtic Park. That’s the manger’s prerogative but if he is to play in his own style then it’s a must that his players quickly get on board with whatever that looks like. Sunday’s display was seriously lacking in any clear identity.' |
I think there is a tension here. It appears that the board do not trust Brendan Rodgers with transfer funds. Quite right too, neither do I.
If he can find another Dembele type signing then it's a different matter but he hasn't, has he?
I have much less faith holding with Rodgers at the wheel. But heck, he can't be much worse than Postecoglou was in the Champions League.
Asagi (long CCP) |
celtic out of the league cup.
i don't expect much from the champ league.
agree with killie boss, there's no point in beating the old firm in a cup competition and then not going all the way, so good luck killie.
'Despite having just 30% of possession, Derek McInnes' side had the best of the few chances there were.'
killie 1-0 rangers
killie 1-0 celtic |
crisis in central defence?
'The problems is Carter-Vickers and Welsh are now sidelined and that leaves just Maik Nawrocki and new signing Gustaf Lagerbielke from that original four.' |
one game doesn't make a season...
'Ange Postecoglou stood arms folded looking into the vast expanse of the South Stand at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium with the satisfied smile of a manager reflecting on a job well done. The Australian cut a low-key figure in his dark polo shirt throughout a thrilling 2-0 Spurs victory over Manchester United, twice shedding his calm demeanour to raise both arms in triumph for the goals. Postecoglou was happy to let the Spurs players who had delivered his mantra of all-out attacking football with such intent take the acclaim after their desire and quality eventually overpowered a mediocre Manchester United. Eventually, he broke into a broad smile as the Tottenham fans who treated this as a feast following the famine and stodge served up by predecessors Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte saluted their new manager, Postecoglou moving towards the supporters before quietly pumping his fists in the direction of the elated gallery. This was a landmark day in so many respects.'
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spurs fans should enjoy his stay for the 2 or so yrs they get |
one of these signings is going to have to be very good for this shareholder to consider the squad to be in better shape than it was before June.
And we all know Postecoglou is a level above Brendan Rodgers.
Asagi (long CCP) |
Celtic have turned down 708 tickets for the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox on 3 September, while Rangers will demand that Celtic honour their obligation to provide an away allocation for the next return fixture. (Glasgow Times)
Celtic are set to tell Rangers and the SPFL there is no chance away fans will be allowed into Parkhead for the December derby. (Daily Record) |
Lawal went to Fleetwood on loan, Summers on loan to Dunfermline and Soro off to some French team Valenciennes for £125,000.
Someone picked up ten grands worth of shares again today, just over a month until results. |
so far...
In: Brendan Rodgers, manager; Gustaf Lagerbielke, defender (Elfsborg); Maik Nawrocki, defender (Legia Warsaw); Yang Hyun-jun, forward (Gangwon, undisclosed); Mario Tilio, forward (Melbourne City, undisclosed); Odin Thiago Holm, midfielder (Valerenga, undisclosed); Kwon Hyeok-kyu, midfielder (Busan I-Park, undisclosed); Tomoki Iwata, midfielder (Yokohama F Marinos, loan to permanent, undisclosed).
Out: Ange Postecoglou, manager (Tottenham Hotspur); Jota, midfielder (Al-Ittihad, undisclosed); Carl Starfelt, defender (Celta Vigo, undisclosed); Vasilis Barkas, goalkeeper (Utrecht); Aaron Mooy, midfielder (retired); Tsoanelo Letsosa, midfielder (Lommel); Conor Hazard, goalkeeper (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed); Osaze Urhoghide, defender (Amiens); Adam Brooks, midfielder (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Dylan Corr, defender (Raith Rovers); Ewan Otoo, defender (Dunfermline Athletic, loan to permanent); Caleb Goldie, defender (Peterhead). |
also appears from the first two games that Celtic remain the best team in the division. That matters when Champions League money is about to step up.
Asagi (long CCP) |
You missed top of the league! |
ccv off hatate off
haksabanovic and bernebei edging towards exit
with mooy and jota gone, forrest getting game time again |
gossip...
Celtic star Reo Hatate could emerge as a target for Brighton again after manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed he is in the market for a midfielder. (Scottish Sun)
Celtic have agreed a £3m fee to sign Gustaf Lagerbielke from Elfsborg in Sweden and the defender will arrive in Scotland next week to undergo a medical (Scottish Sun)
Celtic are also in the market for a right-back, winger and striker for the Champions League group stages. (Daily Record)
One unnamed club from France and one from the German Bundesliga are considering moves for Celtic winger Liel Abada. (Sky Sports) |
'Sweden central defender Carl Starfelt has left Celtic to join La Liga side Celta Vigo for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old, a substitute in the Scottish Premiership opener last weekend, joined Celtic in July 2021 from Rubin Kazan for £4m.' |
Starfelt is an absolute bomb scare. 5M euros is a good bit of business.
I wont make any comment on Hatate being worth £40M!!
if Spurs go for Hatate they must consider him equal utility to the other players they have in their first team: thus put him on a similar value. That's my logic.
The fact they have literally signed others tells us they don't think he's good enough for their first team, as I'm assuming you don't.
Maybe a good Champions League showing will force a reappraisal.
Asagi (long CCP) |
Starfelt is an absolute bomb scare. 5M euros is a good bit of business.
I wont make any comment on Hatate being worth £40M!! |
Starfelt is just 'one of those things' and no reflection on the plc management strategy or football management. But the likely price to be received is disappointing but we are in a market and if no one else wanted to bid more for him, Celtic have to take the price.
I don't understand how the price for Hatate could be just £25m. £40m surely??? That's what an ambitious Premier League side should be paying for first team players. Apparently Spurs have paid €46m and €40m for two midfielders already this summer.
Can Celtic recruit equal/superior replacements? There's a good case to be made that says Rodgers can get more out of Abada than Postecoglou did.
I just think they need to start making some signings that Rangers could not but maybe they are underdoing it, knowing that Champions League group stage admissions is with a high degree of certainty for the next few years (I think) and are trying to win the League and no more.
Asagi (long CCP) |
I expect we'll be doing plenty business in the last 2 weeks of the season. We need a better goalie and certainly a left back that can defend and more physical than Greg Taylor.
Starfelt will be away this week and talk is of Scott McKenna replacing him, question marks on Hatate staying and wouldn't surprise me if Ange wanted him at Tottenham and that would be around £25m. I make that about £50m in bank, £20m at least for Jota and possibly £20m for hatate should he go. £30m for CL or £35m if Rangers don't qualify.
We've spend about £12m so far on players so leaves about £90m once CL money comes in and further on top if hatate leaves although feel another 6 months with CL football could be the making of him and he can join Ange in winter break.
We have a difficult first set of fixtures playing top 5 away first so great start at weekend to get 3 ahead and Rangers looked a shambles playing pre-historic route one long balls against Killie so very pleasing.
Not long for results, possibly 19th September and hopefully team will be matching the bank balance when reporting. |
a league win this year is even more important than last year due to the step up in Champions League monies.
So Rangers giving away a three point lead in August is brilliant for the investment case here as it makes a league win this year for Celtic all the more likely.
Asagi (long CCP) |
starfelt - once his girlfriend left the ladies team...clock ticking
not thinking straight, but that's love, eh! |
off topic
clinical japan ladies
v norway
v spain |
...but we'll gladly have this rangers side [playing at the same level] at the first old firm derby!
3pt lead. valuable. big turnover at rangers they'll need time to gel, which is why the bhoys are going need to be clinical early on, take every advantage of their slip ups and whilst beale figures out his best side. |
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