Mark Hendry has dismissed the speculative story linking Celtic with an interest in Donny van de Beek but has named two positions that Brendan Rodgers is looking to strengthen.
A fortnight into pre-season training the Irishman is having his views on the squad crystallised with the current playing staff significantly weakened from last seasons peak.
Fifteen goal winger Jota has joined Al Ittihad, Aaron Mooy has retired while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston recover from injury. When Celtic won the Viaplay Cup at the end of February all four of those players were in the starting XI.
There are plenty of articles around speculating over Celtic’s spending plans but having broken the news of interest in Alexandro Bernabei last June, Hendry, from Football Scotland clearly has some decent contacts inside the club.
? Informed there’s never been any contact between Celtic and Donny van de Beek’s reps.
Not a surprise considering his price tag and wage expectations. GK and winger wanted this summer.
Do believe #CelticFC will spend big, though.@Football_Scot
— Mark Hendry (@mhendry92) July 13, 2023
A replacement for Jota has to be a priority with speculation earlier this year that Liel Abada could be looking for a transfer.
The goalkeeping situation is especially delicate with Joe Hart playing in 72 out of 76 SPFL matches over the last two seasons.
Neither Scott Bain or Ben Siegrist look as if they are knocking on the door to replace Hart who is now 36 and in the final season of his three year contract.
Joe Hart is a very likeable guy,
and has done a tremendous job for us since coming to Celtic Park.
But, sentimentality and ambition are mutually exclusive.
Tough one for BR, but he will be brutally objective as required.
We want to see some progress in Europe, and some tough decisions might not be popular.
A top notch, hungry keeper could push the team onto the next level?