With the sounds of the Champions League dying out Brendan Rodgers has quietly sent a message to the Celtic board that his squad needs fresh investment.
When he took over as manager 18 months ago it would have seemed unlikely that the Irishman could deliver two seasons of Champions League football on a net spend of around £10m.
Rodgers has delivered in every area but there were signs against Anderlecht that he has squeezed as much as possible out of the current squad.
With the Champions League qualification process beginning in early July the January transfer window is vital to Celtic with their manager having clear plans for next month.
On the back of successive Champions League campaigns and record season ticket sales Rodgers is looking for the club to fully back his transfer plans.
“I am pretty clear where we are at as a squad and I am also realistic about what we can bring in,” he told the Daily Mail. “The challenge here is always to push and be the very best we can be despite the resources we have.
“At this (Champions League) level, we are nowhere near it but at this level we have to find a way and try and represent Celtic and represent the nation the best we can.
“It is very difficult. We will always rely on the collective, we will always rely on the team.
“There won’t be one player at this level who is a massive stand-out. Our star is the team. That is the way it will always be.”
Rodgers has already gone on record saying that he is looking to bring in a first team central defender when the transfer window opens.
