Brendan Rodgers has said clearly that the lack of new signings before Celtic’s Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty wasn’t his call.
Rodgers was open about the issue, saying both he and his staff have known for a while that the squad needs added quality. With supporters growing louder in their complaints, he accepted that help is needed, and it hasn’t been delivered.
Not bringing in players ahead of such an important match has left Celtic thin, and Rodgers spoke about how tough it is to deal with expectations when the squad is so light. His words showed some frustration, but also a sense that he’s having to make the best of a bad situation.
Now heading into a difficult second leg in Kazakhstan, Rodgers has to go with what he has. His comments make it clear he’s bracing for a battle, with no promises that new signings will arrive in time.
He said: (BBC Sport), “We need to improve the squad.
“There’s been clarity around that for a long time. Supporters see that. Hopefully between now and the end of the season, the club will get that and that will support us.
“It’s not my decision in the end. I can prepare the players that are here. We are all clear on where we need to improve, and for whatever reason we haven’t been able to do that.
“We’re in this position, we have to accept that and not dwell on it, and try and come through it.
“There’s only so many ways that I can dress up that we don’t have the players here.
“It was pretty clear. You don’t need to look into the future too far. You know these games are tough and you want to have players in as quick as you can to tackle these situations. It is what it is. I have to accept where it’s at.”
Rodgers’ comments after the first-leg draw have done little to ease the growing frustration among the support, and if anything, have only turned up the heat on the Celtic board to act swiftly in the final stretch of the transfer window.
By clearly stating that the failure to strengthen the squad wasn’t his decision, the Irishman has drawn a firm line between his responsibilities and the actions of those running the club behind the scenes.
It’s a statement that exposes a deeper issue at play, the gap between what the coaching staff knows is needed on the pitch and what’s actually being delivered from upstairs. Rodgers didn’t point fingers at individuals, but his tone left no doubt.
This wasn’t a surprise. The warning signs had been visible for some time. The club knew what was coming, a crucial Champions League qualifier that demanded more than what the current group could offer, and still, the necessary moves weren’t made.
In the short term, all focus turns to the return leg in Kazakhstan, where the players who remain must find a way to get the job done under real pressure. Rodgers will do all he can with the group available, but it’s a big ask, especially given the lack of fresh legs and the long trip ahead.
Looking at the bigger picture, the issue goes beyond this tie. Celtic’s aims in Europe can’t be built on last-minute planning and crossed fingers. Without proper backing and a joined-up approach between manager and board, the same issues will continue to appear and progress on the pitch will remain limited.
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5 responses
There should now be concerted effort from the support to make life uncomfortable for every Board member. They should be constantly heckled and booed every time they appear within the stadium and made to feel as uncomfortable as possible.
This lack of planning is a disgrace for a club that aims “to be world class jn everything we do”. It is amature talent night within our Voard where reprobates and ner do wells have an easy ticket, bonuses guaranteed, while ignoring the fundamentals that drive the business.
Tonight, although we are still in the tie, has been months in the making. Not replacing Kyogo, knowing Jota was injured for the first half of the season and doing nothing, selling Kuhn with no replacement identified never mind signed.
We were incredibly lucky and spoiled when Ange was here as players arrived that he could get a tune out of: O’Riley, Hatate, Kyogo, Jota, Abada. Four of those players were sold for a total of £70M and been replaced not with like for like but downgrades who try there best but are simply not at the required level.
This Board has no strategy for the playing side of the business. There is no connect between football requirements, recruitment, and player negotiation. Everything is standalone but each facet isn’t even standing in the same postcode. For this Board to preside over the last three shambolic transfer windows, and believe they are doing a good job shows how detached from reality they are.
Pretty much nailed it mate.
Don’t have a problem with selling players on, especially for the fees we’ve received, but why do we never have the replacements signed up first, or at least lined up?
This has been the case for years apart from the Big Ange spell.
Why is no one apparently addressing the long running failure of our recruitment department?
The failure of our Academy to produce any talent for the first team?
Likewise the CEO, like.Santa Claus, he appears once a year- at the AGM, then disappears.
The only way to judge the performance of the board is by the team on the park, not the millions in the bank and it’s clear to everyone that the team/squad is getting weaker year on year.
We spend a fortune on merchandise to make our club better. This idiot board especially with lawwell back are dragging us down . Nicholson in charge is a disaster he cannot close deals. We reap what we sow !
Screw you Rogers! You bought in Idah, Trusty and Engles. For three times what any other club would have.
Everyone from Desmond down to Rodgers need to be dragged through the streets and flogged for all to see and then run out of Scotland.
Ange needs a job! Get him in before the return leg next week.
Let’s be honest, Idah was signed after a successful loan spell during which he performed much better than he has done since.
The fee paid was down to the club taking too long to agree a deal and also not making a loan to buy agreement which was quoted at £6M.
It was similar with Engels, initially his price was £9M but we ended up paying £11M because we allowed other clubs to enter the race for his signature. I believe he will be successful with Celtic.
Given that Trusty was playing at EPL and Championship level, £6M was a very reasonable price to pay for a player with his attributes.
Out of the players mentioned Idah needs to improve the most, he lacks movement and goalscoring instinct .
In my mind the Board have decided on Rodgers future and it’s not at Celtic Park. The don’t like Managers asking for players in public and questioning the role of Nicholson .
Sack The Board