Celtic enjoyed an outstanding maiden season under former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers last season. The Bhoys marched to their sixth successive title last term, and in some fashion, with an invincible season.
Having picked up everything there is to win domestically time and again, fans need something new to get excited about. Rodgers was brought in as quite the coup at Celtic Park, but he was brought in with one thing in mind, success in Europe.
Another invincible season, although unlikely, would of course be outstanding however, given they have made it past the group stage in the Champions League just once since 2009, something needs to change.
Last season Rodgers and his side were, admittedly dealt a tough hand in terms of their group with Spanish giants Barcelona, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchedgladbach.
Despite two spirited draws against the Premier League side, the Celts failed to register a win in the group stage, finishing bottom of their table and consigning themselves to a fourth straight year without knockout football at Europe’s top table.
Into this season and the Scottish champions are making their way through the qualifying places, having got past Linfield with a 6-0 aggregate, before sneaking past Rosenborg with a 1-0 win over both legs.
There is by no means a suggestion that Rodgers’ men must get near lifting the European title this season, although at 250/1 with Betway it might be worth a pop, however, getting beyond the group stage would at least bring some new excitement to the stands having dominated football at home for so long.
With that in mind, here are three players the Bhoys could bring in to bolster their ranks and give them a better chance on the continent.
Ben Gibson
The Middlesbrough man was largely let down by those in front of him in being relegated from the Premier League last term.
For all the hard work of keeping it tight at the back, Boro were awful in front of goal, meaning Gibson’s stock went in the complete opposite of the club’s.
There was a lot of talk surrounding a move to the likes of Tottenham earlier in the summer, however, things have gone rather quiet on that front of late, meaning there could well be an opening.
If Rodgers is going to make any progress on the continent this summer he’ll need options and quality at the back, especially with Dedryck Boyata’s injury, and Gibson would be an outstanding addition.
Demarai Gray
The Leicester winger has shown flashes of brilliance in the small time he has been afforded in their first team and, as such is attracting a fair bit of interest this summer.
The winger is reportedly a target for a host of Premier League sides, as well as Bundesliga big boys Borussia Dortmund, however, with Patrick Roberts having returned to Manchester City after a fruitful loan spell north of the border Rodgers is in need of some depth in the wide areas.
Shane Long
The Southampton man struggled under former manager Claude Puel last term, with the Frenchman seemingly hell-bent on rotating his squad against their form.
However, with question marks over the future of Moussa Dembele the Irishman could be a steal from the south coast, where both Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini are ahead of him in the pecking order.
He may not come cheap, given that the Saints paid £12m to bring him in from Hull City and would want to see most of that back, but his experience and blistering pace, having been recorded as the fastest player in the Premier League last season, could do wonders.