One of the most troubling aspects of this transfer window so far isn’t just the lack of signings, but the absence of credible names or anything remotely exciting for the fans.
Celtic supporters have been conditioned to have low expectations. If you read the forums, it’s clear that many fans go into transfer windows expecting very little, so they’re not disappointed when that’s exactly what they get.
Of course, we can’t know for sure what’s happening behind the scenes. We can’t definitively say the transfer window is stuck in the mud, but if there were going to be major signings or significant activity, we would have seen signs of that by now.
It’s not unusual for a big move to be leaked in the press weeks before it’s finalized, and the lack of such leaks is concerning. While I don’t usually put much stock in media speculation, when enough people are talking about certain players and deals, there’s usually something to it.
Today, we were linked with two Liverpool Academy players on loan.
If that’s the level of the club’s ambition, they can keep those guys. Rodgers won’t play them anyway; it’s inconceivable that he’d give game time to academy players from another club ahead of our own established first-team players. No top-class manager like Rodgers would act against his own best interests like that.
I feel no excitement whatsoever about the prospect of signing the Spanish player Bueno, from Wolves, on loan for left-back. The talk of Owen Beck leaves me cold as well—if that’s the best we can do after all these months of searching, I’d rather we didn’t bother.
Signing another squad player who won’t enhance the team is a waste of time.
This summer, we’ve been linked with two strikers outside of the constant Adam Idah chatter. One is Bojan Miovski, and the other is Lawrence Shankland.
Neither of those names would inspire any confidence that we have a coherent or ambitious transfer strategy. We could’ve had Miovski months ago if we really wanted him, and whilst I think most fans would consider that a good deal (I like him myself) I know very few Celtic supporters who would consider Shankland an upgrade in any way.
The increasingly likely departure of Matt O’Riley will leave a huge hole in the team. Just think: under Ange Postecoglou, we had O’Riley, Tom Rogic, and David Turnbull all vying for that spot. Now, within just 24 months, we’re losing all of them, and we haven’t replaced any.
I’d feel better if we were at least being linked with players in that position, but aside from a 28-year-old in the MLS who’s reportedly worth £10 million (whose name I can’t even remember), there hasn’t been a single one.
It looks like we’re trying to sign left-backs on short-term deals, targeting players we allegedly went after over a year ago. I can’t even pretend to feel upbeat, even if we do complete one of these deals, or to pretend I believe that we’re stronger as a starting eleven for it.
It says a lot that the most exciting piece of business on our horizon is the hope of a late breakthrough in the attempt to sign Adam Idah—a move that, let’s not forget, will not make us any stronger than we were at the end of the last campaign.
Today, there are reports from people who suggest we “pick up the phone” and move for Mads Hummels—please, spare us these nonsensical, stupid suggestions. There are also reports from Leeds that we’re interested in Liam Cooper, who’s 33 and available for nothing. It’s incredible to think that some Celtic fans would even welcome moves such as these because we’re now so desperate for good news that they’ll grab onto anything.
As I’ve said before, we’re now conditioned to expect the worst, to fear the worst, and to prepare for the worst. That’s where our club is now, and that’s where it has led us. There’s no confidence in the people running Celtic, no confidence in their ability to reach beyond their small, limited viewpoint. If they were capable of doing it, they would have done it by now.
I strongly suspect that part of the problem at Celtic is that the board is being inflexible with Rodgers, and he, in turn, is being inflexible with them.
They’re offering him the type of project signings he’s already rejected, and they refuse to up the ante. When I look at the names in the papers and level of ambition those names signify, it’s easy to understand why Rodgers would reject them.
It’s harder to understand why the directors would continue to push players on Rodgers that he isn’t confident in and wouldn’t put in the team.
The names of these players being linked with us, combined with the dead silence and lack of tangible progress all bring with them their own problems, but together add up to the perfect storm.
There’s a complete communication gulf, and whererever there’s an information blackout, something will fill that gap. If we’re not on offense, we’re on defence, and by not giving the media something real to write about, we lose control over the narrative, leading to perception problems and self-inflicted damage.
If we don’t do something substantial in this window—not just more project signings or loan deals—when we have tens of millions of pounds in the bank to push for a better class of player, the rift between the fans and the board will take years to heal, and if this is what they’re offering Rodgers, and he’s telling them no, then I’m standing with him all the way.
Who’d have thought it eh? 30 years later, more “custodians”
strangling every last drop out of the club only this time we have the only billionaire in World football who has made money out of a football club and his willing CA who’s the highest paid Chairman/ Very Much CEO in world football having trousered millions out of the club also! Carl Muggleton anyone? ??
You’d think we hadn’t a pot the way these guys are acting, it’s a terrible situation that we as a club can’t put together a transfer deal that looks even close to the level of player required for progress.
It’s a shambolic window when we are seen grappling at the bottom of the barrel with servco
I think we’ve been foolish in not going for Miovski. I don’t mind the link with Owen Beck. He done a tremendous job against us when we played them early in the season last year. He wouldn’t replace Taylor but would definitely be a good back up option to him.
If Ralston is considered an acceptable RB back up for us then Beck is at the very least of that level.
Agree with these senior players (especially defenders), these have historically been our worst business ventures. The list of duds who have been brought in because of there name at an age that is beyond where they offer us anything in return for a nice retirement deal & being able to say they played for Celtic.
Roy Keane, Shane Duffy, Ljungberg, Henchoz, Carlton Cole to name just a few. At least Keane could admit he shouldn’t have come to Celtic in hindsight but his ego got in the way & he thought he could get fit again.
Brendon made a rod for his own back when he promised to honour his 3 year deal. It gives the higher-ups an excuse to treat both him and us fans with contempt. If the board continues to do nothing, hoping we’ll blame the manager for our transfer shortcomings, they’re in for a surprise. I honestly wouldn’t blame the manager if he made known his discontent with loans and project signings. We should be voicing our own anger at the situation. Where are the banners and protests from our hardcore fan groups? Bit late to complain when the window has already shut.
Brendan could easily walk and cite the board and their lack of any sort of ambition as the reason, and I don’t think there’s a single Celtic supporter in the world who’d disagree with him tbh
I get a sinking feeling that instead of the board pulling a rabbit out of the hat, it’ll be a squirrel.
I thought Brendan Rodgers stated to reporter type scoops previously that there could have been a whole load of new players in the door ,so far this window , but the quality on offer wasn’t too great and that’s why they have taken their time to buy ….it’s the quality of talent that is of paramount importance !
Who the fuck is even looking at players. We have no recruitment team in place so it’ll all be down to Big Pedro who oversaw some brilliant windows as CEO. Your article earlier hit the nail on the head. SACK THE BOARD and take their apologists with them
Rodgers should walk away. The board don’t deserve a manager of his quality.
I said earlier in one of James Forrest’s columns that the only way we are going to get change is on the back of us getting tough with this board. A lot of supporters are writing in, knowing the quality of this team is going to continue to diminish under them. The Celtic supporter has to make a stand and boycott Celtic Park, its harsh actions but its the only way to drive them out and we have to because their destroying our club
What I can’t understand, why did Dermot go all the way to Spain to bring Rodgers back to foist this on him again ?
Why doesn’t Rodgers just say to the board,you get me these players or I’m out of here,it’s not like he’s asking for neymar or Messi or immobll or such ,we are looking for players just a bit higher standard than SPFL level,I don’t know what’s up with Rodgers he’s been through this before he knows the score so why come back and go through it all again,is he complicit in the fix now regarding the boards stance in sevco,the whole thing stinks .
Exactly Mick that’s what I don’t get,what was he promised after liewell pulled the rug from under him the last time.what pish was he told by desmond and unfortunately it looks like Brendan swallowed it hook line and big Pete liewell.
10000000000% this. it makes ZERO sense whatsoever.
The club is ran by the parasites for the parasites.!they don’t give a fxxx about the team or the club.
Or the most important of the lot Giveushope – Us Celtic supporters !!!
Spot on James…to date, there hasn’t been one inspirational name linked with a move to us ! What is the point of any loan deal, unless the loan to buy option is included. It’s like buying a cheap plaster to cover a wound and it comes off in the shower ! Pretty pointless!!!
Maybe we’re all wrong and they’re going to pull a big name Roger Rabbit or Bugs Bunny from the very deep hat!
Now that would be magic!!!
We all want the team to be strengthened and are frustrated by the lack of signings. But we have praised the Club in the past for quietly going about its business and making announcements when there is something to say. Frustrating – absolutely. Concerning given recent transfer windows – no question. Has the board adjusted its player recruitment policy in light of the new CL format and money available – doesn’t appear to be the case.
When a PLC or a government is suffering from a lack of credibility, it should take decisive action to reassert that credibility and trust. We can but hope.
Joe when did we last praise the club for going about it’s business,was it when we got lucky and got Ange after waiting 2 months in Eddie Howe,or maybe instead of Steven Fletcher we got willo flood,no harm to the guy ,or maybe we should have praised the club for letting John Mcginn go to England and make a big name for himself instead of at Celtic,but never mind let’s praise the club for having 70 million in the bank plus a guaranteed 30 million from Europe and the club has managed to keep it all in the bank YESSSS big praise indeed,wake up Joe we are getting shafted even sevco if they get toCL stage play off and get 5 million,they will spend it to try and get better,we are a joke mate 70 million in the bank and the team worse off than last season,where should we praise the board , maybe on pluto perhaps???
There’s only one person pullin.the reins up there where players are concerned imo and that’s control freak lawwell. Unless somethin totally unexpected, or drastic happens, ah don’t believe BR has much say in it who eventually arrives. Likely MOR will be away and we’ll end up with one more signin for around 5-6 million and as usual a couple of loan prospects. More big fat millions stacked in the bank and Desmond’ll be very proud of his golden boy.
Why doesn’t Rodgers just say to the board,you get me these players or I’m out of here,it’s not like he’s asking for neymar or Messi or immobll or such ,we are looking for players just a bit higher standard than SPFL level,I don’t know what’s up with Rodgers he’s been through this before he knows the score so why come back and go through it all again,is he complicit in the fix now regarding the boards stance in sevco,the whole thing stinks .
It’s absolute a holes like you who make me wonder, we could sign 10 superstars and you would still butch and moan