Kris Commons has urged Brendan Rodgers to ignore the transfer noise.
The hoops boss doesn’t really require any outside guidance but with fans looking for a couple of new faces Commons believes that if Rodgers can retain his current squad the champions will be in great shape.
Should Patrick Roberts return to join Olivier Ntcham and Jonny Hayes without any departures last season’s treble winning squad will have been strengthened.
Injuries to central defenders has reached chronic levels but with normal injury levels Commons believes that his old club can be pleased with their business during the transfer window.
“There is a demand for new blood,” Commons admits in the Daily Mail. “But let’s look at the evidence. Kristoffer Ajer is a 19-year-old still learning his trade. Nir Bitton is a midfielder forced by necessity into playing out of position. The flak the pair received was unfair and Rodgers was completely right to defend them.
“Had any two of Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko been fit then all this talk of leaky defences and rushed transfer-market deals would be non-existent.
“Yet the fact they are unavailable, alongside last year’s sensation Moussa Dembele, has got Celtic fans demanding new signings to be able to compete in Europe this year. That is not the answer, just as Rivaldo Coetzee is not the solution after his failed medical.
“The key is to have all these players fit and available for selection. Bringing in new faces can have an unsettling effect although the imminent arrival of Patrick Roberts is different in that the manager, squad and fans know what they are getting.
“New arrivals can present a challenge for a manager as he tries to keep all his players happy. My answer is for Rodgers to stick with what he has got — and hope the window shuts before any of his star players are whisked away.”
As has been the case at various stages over the last month Roberts is expected to be in Glasgow over the next 24/48 hours to complete a medical before rejoining Celtic.
The 20-year-old hasn’t played any competitive matches so far this season and has been used sparingly in Manchester City’s pre-season plans.
