Davie Provan was impressed by Celtic’s handling of the transfer window.
Interest from West Ham in Moussa Dembele at the start of January was swatted aside, in the final week of January the threat from Chelsea was much more real.
Craig Gordon could have enjoyed a massive pay rise in return for semi retirement while a massive offer for Dembele was clearly under discussion.
Brendan Rodgers never wavered in his position throughout the month and got his wish with both players still on board his treble bid.
The Irishman has turned Celtic around on the pitch but has been just as impressive off the park with those qualities noted south of the border.
Rodgers is clearly in charge of every area of the football club with Provan impressed by his work off the park as well as on the pitch.
“I thought it was refreshing that when the Chelsea interest surfaced that Dembele didn’t throw the toys out of the pram and do a Dimitri Payet which he could have done,” the Sky Sports pundit explained to the Daily Record.
“He got his head down and committed himself to the end of the season, but if they were to get a daft offer for him or Kieran Tierney then very often it is up to the player.
“That would be the difficulty that Brendan would have, trying to build a team.
“The tough thing for Brendan is in keeping players happy in Scotland, even although they are dominant in Scotland, I think there is always an attraction to go and play at the top level down south.
“Celtic handled the Craig Gordon situation well and, by all accounts, he has near doubled his money.
“It might keep that kind of ambition to keep the better players. I know money doesn’t always talk, but I think Celtic have to push the boat out to keep their better players.
“If you look at the improvement in the team since Brendan came it is hugely encouraging that he can continue to improve this team.
“In eight or nine months he has improved them beyond all recognition.
“If Celtic can do their bit to keep the team together and Brendan stays then the future is very bright.
“Celtic’s board have been rewarded for their ambition, by paying Brendan Rodgers the type of money he is on and they have already got that money back, big time.
“If Celtic are spending every penny they can to keep the players and keep the manager then they can look themselves in the eye.”
