Brendan Rodgers has warned Celtic supporters that there won’t be a big money solution to his side’s defensive problems.
Tonight against Rosenborg the Celtic boss will have to select a defence that doesn’t include Jozo Simunovic, Marvin Compper, Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig.
In their absence he will go with a trio of relative youngsters with Cristian Gamboa returning to favour despite making just three club appearances last summer.
Supporters would love to see a quality, time served defender signed but the transfer fee and terms for that type of player is outwith Celtic’s reach.
The hoops were able to spend a fee ranging from £5-9m on 20-year-old Odsonne Edouard buta defender in his mid to late twenties would be an entirely different matter.
Explaining the situation to The Sun Rodgers said: “The problem is if you are going to bring in a top centre-half then that is going to cost you money. It is as simple as that and big money.
“You bring in players who fit the model of the club and you develop them and improve them, and then eventually they move on.
“Somewhere along the line you will need that level of experience to come in and try and support, and then you hope that can work out for you. But the club works in a specific way.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know if you are going to improve drastically from what this group is at, that in order to make the improvements people want, it costs money but that is out of my control.”
Since arriving at Celtic Rodgers has signed Kolo Toure, Jack Hendry and Compper to boost his defence.