BRENDAN RODGERS told us in the lead up to the Celtic vs St Johnstone game that we should enjoy Oli burke while he’s at the club and not to get carried away because he is ultimately a West Brom player who will head back down south in the summer.
After the St Johnstone game, it’s hard not to get carried away. Burke is still finding his feet and is really only getting his first proper run of games in quite some time. It’s frightening to think this player can only get better under Brendan Rodgers. Oli’s explosive pace was one of the main reasons why Celtic didn’t just win but won in a ridiculous thumping manner.
The Scottish international managed to get on the end of passes he had no right to get. Chasing down the ball at every opportunity, leaving the St Johnstone players looking around wondering what was going on after he managed to outrun the defence and play an inch-perfect pass for Sinclair who reaped the rewards of Burke’s hard work.
Oli was simply unplayable! The midfielder went off later on with a knock on his ankle but Brendan Rodgers seems to think the player will be ok for Thursday against Valencia.
The Baggies paid £14million to bring Burke from Leipzig but has hardly featured for the English side. His parent club has reiterated that Burke will come back into the fold after the summer. Brendan Rodgers believes the player’s valuation will see him move on from Celtic after just a brief encounter but after seeing him against St Johnstone as well as previous games since January. Are you sure we can’t keep him, Brendan?
Of course, Brendan Rodgers would love to keep Oli but it’s all down to the numbers and that’s Peter Lawwell’s job. Is it time to show we are a top club rather than pay lip service to the idea. No, we don’t have Premier League money but we have a player who would probably like to stay beyond the summer. A deal should at least be explored.
100%. Burke, Castagne & Benkovic for £30m would do me although the wages Burke & Benkovic plus Castagne or Holman would pose a problem but if the wages can be acceptable we’d at least HAVE a shout at UEFA CL Qualification & the £40m prize money would compensate the outlay in wages. No point having oodles in the bank, fans want to see it on the pitch. I for 1 would take that as our summer spending…….?