Celtic Marquee Signings and What to Expect – Chris Sutton

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has weighed in on the club’s transfer strategy, suggesting that fans shouldn’t rule out significant moves in the coming weeks despite manager Brendan Rodgers’ recent comments.

Rodgers had previously stated that he did not expect £10-15m arrivals at Celtic, indicating that he plans to stick to the club’s existing model. However, Sutton, writing in his column for the Daily Record, argued that marquee signings often aren’t recognised as such until well after they’ve arrived.

He gave examples like Jota and Carter-Vickers, who Celtic did splash the cash on, after an initial loan spell with the club, and turned out to be superstars. There are plenty of bargains within the Celtic team who are top, top players and weren’t initially recognised as marquee signings.

Sutton wrote in the Daily Record: “I get the demand from fans for a marquee signing but it was interesting seeing Rodgers’ comments about not expecting £10-15m arrivals as he’s sticking to the model. Listen, we sometimes don’t know a marquee signing until long after they have arrived.

“Carter-Vickers and Jota were not marquee signings when they pitched up on loan – but they became ones when they turned those moves into permanent deals. It’s all very well sticking to the model, but we keep being told the club is financially well off and the talk is improvement in Europe.

“I still think they need to add a couple if they are going to do that, and I’d be surprised if Rodgers didn’t feel the same. We know he’s a coach and a developer, and we know he’ll be keen to work with this young squad.

“But it’s also about improving the levels and I wouldn’t bet against some big moves in the coming weeks. Rangers have done a lot of their business but there’s a feeling Celtic haven’t had the same need and are only really just getting started.”

While acknowledging Rodgers’ reputation as a coach and developer, Sutton emphasised the importance of improving the squad’s overall quality. Although The Rangers seem to be finished across the road, Celtic are still looking to add some great quality to the squad.