Rodgers insists that he can veto Celtic’s project signings

Brendan Rodgers has insisted that it will be quality before projects when it comes to Celtic’s January transfer business.

During the summer seven project signings were made with only Luis Palma making a positive contribution in the Champions League.

Marco Tilio and Kwon Hyeok- Kyu have yet to play a minute of competitive action with the others having had minimal playing time.

After losing Jota, Aaron Mooy and Carl Starfelt from last season’s treble winners there is little doubt that there has been a downgrading in quality after expectations were raised under Ange Postecoglou.

The Recruitment Process is something of a mystery to supporters. Mark Lawwell heads up that area of the club but Rodgers insists that he has the final say and can veto any recommendations put his way.

The Sun reports the Celtic boss saying:

People will always wonder, especially when we’re a club that doesn’t have a director of football, but it’s really no different here to most clubs.

We identify the profile of the players that we want. The recruitment team then scythe that down to a certain number.

Then it comes to me to decide on the best ones to bring in. And if none of the three are to the level, we don’t bring them, it’s as simple as that.

It’s pretty clear. And that was one of the things, before I came and then when I did come in, I needed clarity around that.

The club’s strategy is to bring in young players and we have done that during the last window.

The likes of Yang and Thiago will show up very well in the future but I have also said, strategically, that we need quality. And that’s something that, hopefully, over the coming years we can improve on.

Under Ange Postecoglou five signings were announced over December 2021 and 2022 in advance of the Transfer Window opening, last season Alistair Johnston made his debut on January 2 at Ibrox following his transfer from Vancouver Whitecaps.