With the arrival of Kouassi Eboule within a week of the transfer window opening Brendan Rodgers has again demonstrated that he is serious about business.
The warm, friendly public image is accurate but behind that there is an utterly ruthless individual who won’t let sentiment get in his way to success.
Anthony Stokes looked destined for another chance at Celtic after his Scottish Cup winning exploits with Hibs, not so according to Rodgers who let the Irishman leave.
Efe Ambrose was backed to the hilt while he was playing, as soon as other options emerged he dropped completely out of the picture.
As he takes his squad out to Dubai the Celtic boss will be watching every minor detail to see who he can trust for another Champions League qualification campaign. Those that can’t be trusted will be replaced.
The joys of a 58 point haul from 20 matches won’t be reflected on, everything will be geared towards the remaining 18 games and the Champions League qualification process.
There has already been a number of victims of ruthless Rodgers, being on board the Brendan Bus seems like the place to be.
GARY MACKAY-STEVEN
For a short time it looked like an opportunity was opening up for the former Dundee United man- within a week he picked up a Betfred Cup medal without kicking a ball followed by a Champions League debut against Manchester City.
The return from injury of James Forrest and Scott Sinclair have severely limited his prospects despite appearing to catch the eye of Brendan Rodgers.
Stuart Armstrong and others have shown what is possible under the new management but Mackay-Steven has his work cut out to fight his way back into the top team.
LIAM HENDERSON
It’s been a strange season so far for the returning Hibs hero.
At times he has looked miles out of the picture sitting in the stand only to be in the starting XI for the next match.
Earlier in the season he said that he felt that he’d been out on enough loans and it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
Things need to happen soon for Hendo but it’s hard to see where an opening will come from with more midfielders expected during this transfer window.
RYAN CHRISTIE
Hasn’t enjoyed anything like the game time that he would have hoped for but has shown in his limited appearances that he has the potential to be a regular first team player.
The Tom Rogic role probably suits him best but with the Australian in outstanding form it’s hard to see Christie getting a chance to play regularly.
It’ll be a big decision on whether he stays at Celtic playing the Rodgers way with limited game time or moves out on loan for regular football, his old club Inverness Caley Thistle look badly in need of him but whether that would benefit the player is open to question.
PATRICK ROBERTS
After his starring role away to Astana it’s hard to believe how limited the wingers appearances have been. See James Forrest.
Without doubt there is an exceptionally talented player there but with Celtic’s focus increasingly on next season’s Champions League qualifiers it’s hard to justify playing Roberts ahead of Forrest.
The game changer could be a permanent transfer which City could be open to, with no disrespect he’s as likely to get a game for Pep next season as Jason Denayer.
If a permanent transfer was confirmed Roberts could feature more, his vision and passing is unequalled with the ball through to Armstrong for Scott Sinclair’s winner at Ibrox the latest example.
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
After half a season of nursing towards fitness the former Dinamo Zagreb man needs to prove that he is up for the rigours of playing every game.
It’s strange that a 22-year-old has to be used sparingly, in defence partnerships are everything and the more games that he gets alongside Erik Sviatchenko the better for all concerned.
Proving his fitness and playing well on a week by week basis may attract attention from Torino and other admirers but having a regular defensive pairing is essential going into next season’s Champions League qualifiers.