Chris Sutton believes that only experienced additions in January can get Celtic out of rock bottom place in the Champions League.
Wednesday night’s win over Feyenoord applied a gloss to a disappointing campaign, Celtic may have finished on the same positions as Manchester United and Newcastle but that doesn’t mask the failings after signs of hope a year earlier.
Both English sides went into their final group match with the prospect of reaching the last eight, after Matchday 5 Celtic didn’t even have the consolation of a Europa League place to aim for.
Despite being without Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Liel Abada and Reo Hatate Celtic came up with a morale boosting win that brought a halt to some dreadful statistics.
However you look at the final group table it tells a tale of failure, looking forward Sutton has no doubt about what is required to take steps forward next season, if they return to the Champions League.
In the Daily Record he explains:
We know Celtic weren’t ready for this campaign, I’ve said it often enough and Brendan Rodgers has left no-one at the club in any doubt about what needs to happen next.
Players need to be bought. Good quality players with experience. Not development players. The club already has those. They need help from senior faces who have been around a bit. If they are not sourced and signed in January or at the start of the summer, Celtic will just tumble back into the same cycle again next season as they have been in during this one and that is not a situation that I feel Rodgers would have signed up for.
The club needs to deliver the right additions. Then he needs to deliver when he gets them. It’s the only way Celtic will go forward in Europe. Of course, right now, there is no guarantee the club will be in the group stages next season because the title race is well-and-truly on.
With just over two weeks to go until the January window opens Celtic fans will soon get a firm idea of whether Sutton’s transfer wishes will be granted.
Who has any faith that Lawwell and Co will rise to the challenge. History shows they have no intention of doing so. They again have created the circumstances like 10iar that we have a challenge on. That should never have happened. I don’t know what was said to BR to get him to return but I would bet he hasn’t got what was promised.
Correct, John. We see this over and over. The bottom line is supporters put millions into Celtic and the Board takes it out.
BR was asked last week about January signings, he said he would be working with the players he already has.
And kennedy has just said we need to get rid of players lager for one looking like AND he said the club wont knock back proper offers for players like MOR that means everyone is up for grabs.
Managed decline league decided on the last few weeks . Brendan looking scunnered, have you noticed the tics he has now? The gum i can get but he is getting more yips n tics buy the week sign of pressure. Do i stay or fuck it?
Garcia, Nsame fae YB along wae a keeper + defensive midfielder please Santa !!!!!
HH